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Spelman Spotlight December io, a s.,
‘ALL YOURS’
The Literary Section
A Photoetry Essay
me institution of “Christmas gift” survived the 1870’s and lives on
into the recent past, into the 1920’s and 1930’s and even, in some
cases, beyond. Even after it had died away in the towns, it con
tinued in the country areas; on farms or remnants of plantations,
the whites were still waked by the cry and the smiling demand. As
late as the mid-1940’s when I spent Christmas at a friend’s plan
tation, I emerged from my room to the accompaniment of four or
five simultaneous shouts of “Chris’mus gift!” But on my return, less
than ten years later, only one attendant, the elderly cook who was
the last of the former helpers, called it in a muted voice and
somewhat shamefacedly. Three other house servants, newly
arrived from town, appeared hesitant to echo the words.
Finally, I broke the ice. “Don’t you want a Christmas present?”
With smiles that spread from one to the other, they fell in with the
spirit as we recalled the old custom. But when I go back the next
time I feel certain that this tradition will be gone completely.
Harnett T. Kane
'Christmas in the Black Community"
Compiled by Michelle Denise Dacus
Literary Editor
Spelman Spotlight
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IS...
Snow on Christmas day,
It’s cookies in the oven,
And children out at play.
Christmas is Santa in his sleigh.
It’s the carols children sing,
It’s the warmth of grandma’s hugs,
It’s the scent of a fresh cut tree,
It’s gifts for you and me,
But most of all it’s the time for LOVE
And the time to keep loving.
Have a very Merrv Christmas Everyonell
By Victoria McMillan
CHRISTMAS
By Tyrone L. Crider
a time of love, peace, and joy.
a time of sharing for every man,
woman, girl, and boy.
a time of reunions, communions,
and rededications,
a time of hallowed songs heard
throughout the nations,
a time of bells ringing, choirs
singing, spreading the Good
News.
a time of caring awhile, sharing a
smile with whosever you choose.
BUT MOST OF
ALL
The most important thing about
Christmas Day is that long ago
God stepped in, in His own
mighty way.
And by His spirit a Child was
bom of the Virgin Mary and as a
sacrifice, the sins of this whole
world He would carry.
I esus came that we might have an
abundant life and power to resist
temptations and to endure pain
and strife.
I know to some, this story may
seem odd,
but to those of us who believe
Him,
and as many as receive Him,
He gives us power to become
Sons of God.
THE PEPPERMINT CANDY MARCH
The peppermint candy march
Went gaily up on the street,
All dressed in white and red,
Each with a lime-drop head,
And bonbons like brown shoes fore feet.
Each band man blew a little coil
Made of the silver wrapping foil.
I hope they got far on their way,
Because at ending of the day,
I’m sure there isn’t any doubt
The hungry mice would all come out.
By Effie Lee Newsome
UNDER THE MISTLETOE
I did not know shed take it so,
Or else I’d never dared:
Although the bliss was worth it so.
She stood beneath the mistletoe
So long I thought she cared;
I did not know she’d take it so,
Or else I’d never dared.
For the Christmas feasting and revelry were only one phase of the
slave’s Christmas; the other was the devout, plain faith of the
people. As J ohn Esten Cooke saw it, Christmas was to them “what
it was in the pious Middle Ages-a solemn mystery as well as a joyful
reality. With the rejoicing of the season is inseperably connected in
his mind what this rejoicing arises from.”
By Harnett T. Kane
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ON A CHRISTMAS NIGHT
In Bethelem on a Christmas night
All around the Chils shone a holy light.
All around His head was a halo bright
On a Christmas night.
‘We have no room,” the innkeeper called,
So the glory fell where the cows were stalled,
But among the guests were Three Kings who called
On a Christmas night.
How can it be such a light shines here
In this humble stable one cold and drear?
Oil, iiic ‘CiiiRi iiaa cumc io oring good cheer
On a Christmas night!
And what is the name of the little One?
His name is J esus-He’s God’s own Son.
Be Happy, happy, everyone
On a Christmas night!
Langston Hughes
“THANK YOU, MISTER”
Hey Mister!
Don’t let me forget to tell you
‘Thank you’ for your love
As real as the color green
And as light as spring’s new air.
Oh...
And thank you for your big, strong hand'
That often hold my world.
Thank you for that big, wide grin
And your shinning eyes that reflect mv ,v
Thank you for loving all of me
From my soul to my mind to my nose
Thank you. Mister, for thanking me
I love vpu.
J ;;!:
By Countee Cullen