By Marianne Bretsnyder '66

What does Christmas mean to a derelict living in a broken down slum area of some big city? Does it mean standing in line for hours for a free dinner from the Salvation Army? Or is it just another day to live through, just like the one before it, or the day after that? Or does a tear come to his eye as he thinks of what he might have done, or what this day could have been? Perhaps he feels hurt because there is no one who cares, no one who wants to be with him today? But then, it's his fault that he's all alone today, isn't it?

On the other hand, what does Christmas mean to a terror stricken peasant behind the Iron Curtain? He doesn't have a bread line. Christmas may mean looking down into an empty rice bowl all day or hiding from his tormentors in an abandoned house. He doesn't have much to be thankful for, but maybe he has some hope left in his heart; hope for a better tomorrow, or maybe for his escape tonight across the border.

Now, think of yourself on Christmas morning. There will be a big, pretty tree, lots of gifts scattered around it, and a dinner later on. The slums and the Iron Curtain seem very far away and very distasteful, but then, one also feels that this Christmas is deserved. And it is, isn't it?