BY Mary Canar

That time is here again: the time when snow begins to fly, Christmas carols ring out, and people start watching where their money is going in order to save for Christmas gifts. Ah, December is here!

People are hurrying and scurrying around, this way and that, shopping for gifts, decorations, and cards. They are griping about prices and how commercialized Christmas has become. People are sometimes wishing they could become children again and experience the joy that only children can feel at this time of the year.

I envy children who still believe in Santa Claus, Saint Nicholas, or any other name that the jolly plump man possesses. The expectation of Christmas is great and rather selfish. Then again, that is a child's privilege. I still can remember squirming around in my seat the last day of school before the Christmas vacation.

All of the children were talking about their letters: the ones they had written to the famous legendary character. And on Christmas Eve, trying to go to sleep was torturous! I imagine every excited child has at one time or another been so excited that he actually felt sick to his stomach. I know I never will forget those "joy pains."

Children also seem to remember the true meaning of Christmas more than adults do. During the month of December, they are constantly being reminded of the birth of Christ. There are usually many nativity scenes in the various parts of their environments, and their Sunday school teachers are incessantly telling their pupils the Christmas story. Children take this story and its meaning to their hearts. As they grow older and learn the terrible truth, that there is no Santa Claus, they lose part of the excitement and joy of Christmas. But soon afterwards, a few years, perhaps, children learn the joy of giving and perform other activites they now can participate in, the ones they could not enjoy as children.