The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

,_ gasping my doorway he happened to heat a young struggling teen shar- ing his wish with me for a computer to do his school work on. Popping his head around the door, this friendly stranger apologized for overheating but, oddly enough, he had a spare sys- tem he would be only too happy to give the boy for free. As quickly as Rudolph jumps from rooftop to rooftop he disappeared, leaving his phone number and shy smile behind. I saw the spirit of Christmas shining through as he Living among us, these Santa-like beings can appear just when you need some kindness the most. One such gentleman appeared just days ago outside my office in the CO Train Station in Stouffville. lolly old Saint Nicholas was a gen- tle soul who did kind things for oth- ers, never expecting reward or praise. Making a child smile or bringing a grin to a sad face was reward enough. Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. No, he doesn't always wear a red suit and have a belly that shakes like jelly, but yes Virginia he really does exist. This huge spirit of giving lives all over the world and comes in many different forms. Sometimes Santa is big and tall and sometimes he is short and stout. Sometimes he laughs from his soul and other times he merely gives a chuckle. He can appear magically, looking nothing like the big elf that shoots across the sky on Christmas Eve, but rather just like you or me. By Ruth LeBlanc I wish everyone in Whitchurch- Stouffville a very merry Christmas. Remember, the best memories are not about the presents you receive but of good friends, family and other loved ones. ' It really is the most wonderful time of year. Hundreds of boxes of clementincs will find their way to Stouffyille's kitchens and rolling pins will be dusty with flour. Stomachs will fill with turkey and you will wish, just a little, that it wasn't over so quickly. The season comes upon us so quickly and is over just as fast. Before you know it the tree will be lit and the presents placed under its boughs. So here's to the Santa Clauses all over Whitchurch-Stouffville. The guy in the red suit knows who you are and where you live. On Christmas morning under your tree might not be the biggest gift, but the gift you give quietly all year is priceless. Remembering that housebound person with a visit and a smile can make all the difference in the world not only to that person, but also to you. Sharing when others have noth- ing can make you feel like you have won the lottery just by seeing the joy you can bring into someone else's life. Look around, Vuglnia, at all the good deeds done every day all year round. Forgiving those who, like all humans, make mistakes takes a bigger person, almost as big as Santa, to be gracious and forgiving. wulkzd away, leaving the boy with an incredulous look on his face. Forgot about work for a moment? Forgot about the problems of the world? That's all part of the magic of this season. So much forgetting leaves a little piece of space in our crowded minds and hearts to remember. To remember there can be peace on earth. Maybe the kids'did leave theirrmritts outside somewhere again. That's just a won- derful opPortunjty to give another pair. Mittens in their stockings every year until they dont forget anymore. That's just the creation of a farmly memory, an tn-joke, like y to be repeated each_ generation. Férgot to flu: gas in th; car? Wfiat a wonderfu} cgportuni?’ for a family walk. Forgot to stock the cat’s favourite food? Don't worry. ne day 0 sharing your turkey qu't spot! him. In the new year we'll still find lists jammed into pockets, bailed up on the bottom of the urse, or tucked inside the wallet, now blatantly visible because of an obvious lac'lt o c'urrency. So many syrprise pieces of paper. It makes onE wonder'why' wé illow 61;ng to be dxagged into this frenzied amnesia. Well maylbs {t's begaqse ig is a seasgn of forggtting. AA-..L_ -L- ‘41 On'Christmas day, while iricklng up wrappln strewn across the room, it's sure we'll find a list or two. We'll ook at it and say, " I There it is. Gee, I for at to get the chocolate for Aunt May." It's very likely, too, that the ne hew is mu happier Kvith the book he eventually received, rather than the scarf w 'ch was listed next to 15 name. _ By Catherine Sword Christmas, with all the wild dashing about to do a thousand and one little things, is really a time of fotgetting. l-lence the constant making of lists, which we prompt- ly Large)~ somewhere. On Dec. 22 we will be putting on our Christmas Program at EastRidge Church. Come join us in celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. The school will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary in the spring. We are thankful for the op rtunity to nurture and equip a generation of young people to be worthy citizens 0 Canada. ' - Thanks to donations from many Stouffville businesses the evening was a huge success, with over 339,000 taised. Stouffville Christian School wants to thank all those businesses that donated items to this wonderful event. Stouffvllle Christian School recently held its Annull Dinner Auction at the Premiere Ballroom in Rlchmond Hill. News from Stouffvi Christian School AUTO SERVICE 905-642-9000 Tlm Chane “owner‘ Forgetting Adam 6757 Main Street at 10th Line Stouffville Art