Newspaper Page Text
PAGE TWO
CLARK PANTHER, DECEMBER 18, 1952, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
The Clark Panther v 9^
A Journal of College Life Published from September to June The Significance Of Christmas
By the Students of Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia ”
A promoter of school spirit by encouraging projects and efforts
among student groups and individual students.
A medium through which an opportunity is provided for students
to obtain experience in newsgathering, reporting, book-reviewing, edi
torial, and' creative writing.
An instrument for fostering friendly and constructive criticism
of campus activities.
Ernest M. Pharr, Editor-in-Chief
Elridge McMillan, Associate Editor
Marilyn Tucker, Assistant Editor
J. F. Summei setle, Advisor
IV. T. Robie, Advisor
Norris Muldrow Sports Editor
Walter Willis, Jr Religious Editor
W. Butler, E. Pratt, C. Lowe Reporters
Charles Teamer, Samuel Rosser Circulation Managers
Sandra Shepherd Art Editor
Willye F. Stoney, Samuella Gray Staff Typists
Celestine Brown Exchange Editor
Terah Ann Whitten, Jeanette Reynolds Copy Readers
Yvonne Southall Secretary to Editor
£.%nzi-t <dl\. 1Pizazz
In Search Of Personal Advice
We are supposed to have a “top-notch” counseling program. Mem
bers of the Personnel and Education Departments are well-trained and
able to guide students, not only in their academic work, but social and
spiritual lives.
It is true that there are some people in whom we cannot place our
complete trust and confidence. Many of us have heard faculty members
talking about the students in a manner unbefitting to their positions.
We must, therefore, search for an instructor or faculty member in whom
we can put our complete trust, faith, and vows of strict secrecy in re
gard to our personal problems. When you have talked to someone and
they have responded according to your liking, then you feel as if the
weight of the world had been lifted from your shoulders. There are
some in whom we can trust, without having our affairs all over the cam
pus the next day.
Some of us talk to fellow students about our problems and they may
or may not be able to help us. Even at that, there is much greater danger
that they may talk to others about our personal affairs than the instruc
tors. Then too, their advice is in most cases of no assistance to us. We
seem to think of our instructors as being on a pedestal—that they are so
high that we cannot reach them. We so think of ourselves as being in
ferior to them. So much so that we are afraid to talk to them—afraid to
have them know that our troubles are many. Some instructors nave
asked their students to visit them for conferences. They have set aside
special hours for conferences, and we take the.se conferences as being
relative io school work only. Many instructors may say that they don’t
want to hear our problems, but our troubles with our academic work. It
is up to us to find someone who can help us. It could be some faculty
member whom we know very well and to whom we can talk freely
If we find someone to whom we can talk freely, then half the problem
is solved. Problems cannot be solved unless we talk freely—holding no
thing out. Instructors cannot be “Mom and Dad” to us, but those who
are sincere and who know the difference between "bad” and “good” ad
vice can serve just as well in that capacity.
Within a few days the bells and chimes which remind us of our
college daily r-outine will temporarily cease. This ceasing of the clang
ing bells and the hustle and rustle of daily routine will call to our at
tention the Yuletide Season and the recognition of the most celebrated
Festival Day on the Christian Church Calendar—Christmas. Students,
faculty and staff will turn their eyes homeward or at least where they
will, have the privilege to fellowship with families, kinsmen or just
friends. The thermometer of kindness will, register as never before.
There will be those who will share this festival and rejoice because
they will be the recipient of something, while on the other hand there
will be those who will get a great deal out of giving for the joy of mak
ing others happy.
During the Yuletide Season we are often confronted with questions:
Just what does all this mean? What is the real significance of Christ
mas?
Christmas means the mass of Christ in the Christian Church, the,
the festival of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It is a religious commemo
ration which highlights the Christian year. Hwever. for historical clari
fication, it should be pointed out that Christmas was not among the
earlier festivals of the Church.
Before the fifth Century there was no general opinion as to when
this celebration should be fixed. In Britain, December 25 was celebrated
as a festival day long before the Conversion to Christianity. Therefore
the reason for continuing to celebrate December 25 was because of the
influence of the early Church fathers in ,’>40 A. D, It was the opinion
in the 3rd Century that the Universe was created at the Vernal Equinox,
reckoned in the Julian Calendar as March 25. Consequently this would
make three events fail on the 25th: 1) the new creation; 2) the Inception
of the incarnation; and 31 the Birth of Christ.
In connection with the last event, the birth of Christ, one may read
the accounts in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The birth stories ex
press the adoration and affection which Jesus' followers had for him
and are told with poetic beauty and simplicity particularly during the
Yuletide season. There are several general impressions which these
stories give which we mignt briefly mention in passing: 1) These stories
indicate the fact that Jesus was born arid grew up in a poor devout fami
ly of Galilean Jews, Mary and Joseph, who were too poor to afford the
meager accommodations of life; 2i He was believed by the writers to be
the long-looked-for Messiah who would deliver Israel and restore the
Kingdom of David. By so doing the Jews would be the most glorious
nation on earth; 3) the early Christians held the idea that their belief
in Jesus as the Messiah was full endorsed by God through signs and
wonders.
It seems to me that the significance of Christmas may be found in
one word and that is love—not for self but to the extent that others may
be made happy and rejoice in living.
SYMBOLISM
Symbolism is a shorthand method of expressing certain ideas and
plays an imprtant part in understanding certain characteristics related
to the Yuletide Season. A brief explanation of many of these symbols
will help us appreciate this Festival Day.
1. Star. The five-pointed star is the must common symbol of
Christmas. It is a sign of the incarnation. (God became man and dwelt
among us). It is known as the star of Bethlehem. The six-pointed star
is the star of creation or the star of David. This star long preceded
Christian history.
The twelve-pointed star signifies the closeness of the relationship
between the Divine and the Human.
Letter To The
Editor
Room 104 Pfeiffer Hall
Clark College
Atlanta, Georgia
Mr. Ernest Pharr, Editor
“The Clark Panther”
Clark College
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Sir:
For the last issue ot the “Pan
ther” I prepared an editorial en
titled “Clark: A Lack of School
Spirit.” An editorial did appear,
however several paragraphs were
re-written and, thus, the full
strength and completeness o f
thought were lost.
Perhaps to the reader, the edi
torial appeared to be a finished
product, but to the writer it was
certainly a distorted product.
Is the “Panther” afraid to pub
lish articles which criticize our in
stitution? If we are to be taught
to live in a democratic society, why
must we curb our thoughts and
feelings?
If Clark is to have cooperation
from all parties concerned, it must
give cooperation and encourage in
itiative and unsuppressed. ideas and
thoughts.
May the “Panther” some day be
come a college paper without fear
of the administration.
Wondering and unsuppressed,
Edwin Thomas Pratt
A College
Student Prays
By Walter Willis, Jr.
We thank Thee, Our Fa
ther, that we may join with
the thousands of Christians
here in America and all over
the world in celebrating a
day set aside as the birthday
of Thy Son and Our Lord.
We thank Thee that, in thy
true love, for as thou dids’t
give the “greatest gift.” We
too would give. I’oo long
have we given trivial, insig
nificant little nothings, but
this year, Father, we offer
A LETTER TO SANTA CLAUS
Dear Santa;
I know that you have heard from many children by now and that
you are preparing your Christmas gifts for these youngsters. I am now
pursuing my third year at Clark College. It may seem sort of childish
to some people for me to write a letter to you. but I think not.
Santa, as the Christmas season approaches and as I look around the
campus and see all the bright faces filled with Christmas cheer, I wonder
how many are greateful to be alive, to bo in pursuance of a college ca
reer—preparing themselves for their chosen life’s work. I wonder how
many will return to our institution after the holidays are over.
Although, the report is not official, Santa, it is reported that some
130 students have averages less than one point. There are some who have
averages less than a tenth of a point. Help them realize that in times
such as these, there is a critical need for leaders—that they must buckle
down to their studies—that college is not a plaything or a place to look
for a prospective mate. Help them to see that they could have remained
at home to find a mate—to throw away precious time and money. We
came here to further our education. If we should find someone with
whom we would like to settle down with for life, it is good, but just to
“mess around” and throw away all that our parents have given us to at
tend college is disgraceful.
Keep us safe as we travel to and from our homes over the holidays.
Make us know that Christmas means more than a big dinner, a wild cele
bration, nightclubbing, money thrown away and “hangovers.” Help us
return to Clark with renewed vigor and meaningful New Year’s reso
lutions to try even harder in our studies.
Make this a white Chrismas for the men in service, who will be
fighting so that we can celebrate another Christmas in peace; who will
be eating in foxholes with dirt for tablecloths while we are enjoying
the comfort of being seated at our respective tables, with our families,
with gay colors, and with hot food steaming on the tatbles.
Those who are less fortunate than we, make it a gala Christmas for
them. Bring the sick hope, the needy food, clothing, and shelter; and
the oppressed, freedom. I ask nothing for myself—only these things for
the betterment of all mankind.
2. Gold. A symbol of Christ or the Messiah's royalty.
3. Frankincense. A symbol of Priesthood.
4. Myrrh. A symbol of entombment (placed in tomb.)
5. Gifts. The gifts which the wise men brought recorded in the
gospel of Matthew were an indication of appreciation for the advent of
one who would be the Messiah.
6. Candi.es. Candles and torch lights were the only means of illumi
nation. One candle: Christ is the light of the world; two candles: the
Divinity and Humanity of Jesus; Seven candles: These candles repre
sent the seven spirits of God recorded in the Book of Revelations 4:5.
7. Holly. An American tree or shrub of the rose family.
Green. The green represents the continuity of life.
Red berries. Representative of sacrifical sacrifice.
8. Colors. Green. A symbol of the coming of new life. The ever
green and fir trees are those which always keep their color: The coming
of Jesus represented the continuity of life. Red. A sacrifice -which was
a general custom made during all Great festival Days and events.
9. Music. Very early music became a marked feature of the sea
son. The first litanies and hymns were in Latin.
10. Christmas tree. The first Christmas tree was of German ori
gin dating from Boniface, English missionary to Germany in the 8th
Century, who replaced the sacrifice to Odin’s Sacred Oak by a fir tree
adored in tribute to the Christ child. The German Prince Albert soon
after his marriage to Queen Victoria introduced it into England and
Geran immigrants brought the custom to America.
11. Santa Claus cr Saint Nicolas. A highly popular Saint of the
Roman Catholic Church and who is reverenced with still great devotion
by the Russian Church. Little is known of his personal history. He is
said to have been Bishop of Myra in Lycia and is said to have taken part
in the Council of Niceaea.
12. Why people go home for Christmas? The idea of returning home
originated with the English. Christmas was made a ceremonial
and home festival. During this time there were family reunions, gifts
and parties which became a part of the Festival fellowship.
Now that we understand more thoroughly the significance of Christ
mas—to each, A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
the noblest and best that we
possess—we give ourselves.
AMEN.
The “Panther” has been re
quested by Coach Epps to in
form the Student Body that
they were not responsible for
the hardwood Panthers’ loss
to Savannah State College on
December 9 in the season’s
opener, as the “Atlanta Daily
World” indicated in a release
December 10. Coach Epps
said that “the fellows missed
too many shots,” and that
this was the cause of their
loss, not the yelling of the
Student Body which caused
a technical foul against the
Clark squad.
The Publicity Department
and 1952-’53 Panther Staff
join the students, faculty
and staff in wishing all a
Merry Christmas and a most
enjoyable holiday season.
The Panther staff wishes to
thank all of you for your pa
tience in waiting upon the
publication of the monthly
paper. Your praises and criti
cisms have inspired us to do
a better job in the New Year.