Local history: What does Christmas mean? Kids explained it in 1970
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What does Christmas mean to you?
The Beacon Journal asked children that question in December 1970. Youngsters were invited to jot down a few lines and mail them to the newspaper’s office.
Hundreds of kids responded with poignant, amusing and occasionally startling notes.
Those children would be in their 50s and 60s now. Here are some of their answers, complete with the original spelling, punctuation and syntax:
“Jesus was born on the 15th of Christmas. Joseph and Mary were very happy and so was God and everyone in heaven.” — Theresa Morelli, 8, of 799 Ardella Ave., Akron
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“Christmas is love. Christmas is happiness. Christmas is special because it is Jesus’s birthday.” — Brenda Quine, 8, 1746 Edgar Ave., Hudson
“I think God is happy. We are all happy too.” — Valerie Slevin, 2572 Turkeyfoot Lake Road, Green
“Christmas is a time of joy, when families are brought together and everyone has the feeling of happy confusion.” — Debbie Hunter, 13, of 4510 Max Road, Green
“Christmas means toys and God when he got born. Snow and football that is all.” — Timmy Lenner, 8, of 1151 Collinwood Ave., Akron
“Dear Santa Claus. Please give baby Jesus a happy birthday kiss for me. Teddy Bear sends a kiss too. Love.” — Deena Labbate, 4, of 32 Brutus Place, Akron
“Christmas means that Christ was born. He taught many good things like to be nice and to love everyone. People said he was a witch because he could heal. But he was the greatest person on earth just as God is.” — Janet Roscover, 10, of 300 N. River Road, Munroe Falls
“Since it is Jesus birthday, why dont we put a gift on the dining room table, and maybe it will float up to Heaven.” —Kim Graham, 7, of 3391 Pendleton, St., Cuyahoga Falls
“Christmas means to me that Christ was born on this great day.” — Sharon Spencer, 8, of 1250 Mac Drive, Stow
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“Christmas means decorating trees and sled riding and ski slops and lights gleming from every house.” — Jeff Reed, 9, of 1074 Morningview Drive, Tallmadge
“Thank God for giving us the world, and plants, and children.” — Douglas Avdellas, 6, of 503 Avalon Ave., Akron
“Christmas is when Jesus birthday is here and when Santa comes and said ho-ho-ho, you no hoo that is?” — Valerie Whetsell, 7, of 3365 Herbert St., Mogadore
“Christmas means loving, sharing, giving. And a tree with the angle on top. It means loving others. — Diane Donatelli, 9, of 233 S. Miller Road, Akron
“Getting presents. It also means thinking of the men in Vietnam who are serving our country.” — Kathy Laman, 11, of 539 Castle Blvd., Akron
“I like finding presents before Christmas and also no school.” — Pam Machesky, 11, 5264 Lake Road, Medina
“Christmas is a time of year to love and care. And a time to be thankful for what you have.” — Regina Ann Knowlton, 8, of 70 Waltz Drive, Barberton.
“You just don’t write down what you think Christmas is. You have to feel the meaning of Christmas.” — John Souffis, 12, of 1521 Tonawanda Ave., Akron
“Christmas means Christ and many wonderful toys that you always wanted and mostly love.” — Lisa Hines, 9, of 5944 Stow Road, Hudson
“Christmas means when baby Jesus was born and laid in a manger and the fun of giving gifts and decorating a Christmas tree.” — Leisa Salzwimmer, 12, of 2236 13th St. SW, Akron
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“Christmas means snow and gifts, it means happiness and family togethers.” — Diane Patchen, 11, of 540 E. Nimisila Road, Green
“Christmas is when Jesus was born. And lies there on the straw. With Mary and Joseph kneel down to see him. — Erin Ritchie, 8, of 60 Milton Drive, Tallmadge
“Celebrating Christ’s birthday is what I think Christmas is.” — Mike Beaty, 9, of 44 Prentiss St., Munroe Falls
“Christmas is happiness for all. I hope to all.” — James Dennis McCabe, 9, of 504 Elmwood Court, Akron.
“It means its Christs birthday and time for us to exchange gifts. And it means its time for Santa to bring me all those good toys.” — Tony Copley, 9, of 24 Circle Drive, Rittman
“Christmas means to me the birth of Jesus Christ the Son of God.” — Tammy Haidet, 10, 2324 Hillside St., Cuyahoga Falls
“Well Christmas is a fun time and everyone should celebrate it.” — Sammy Fetzer, 12, of 6215 Wadsworth Road, Medina
“I think it means it is a Holy Day and Birthday for Baby Jesus.” — Julie Shumaker, 7, of 404 Ellen Ave., Akron
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“Christmas means a lot of joy when Jesus Christ was born.” — Paula Giannini, 6, of 240 Buffington Road, Fairlawn
“I thank God for my mother being alive she almost died in July … she is the best mother in the world.” — Roderick Gaiter, 10, of 113 Mustill St., Akron
“Christmas means happiness because Jesus was born, and kids get to stay home from school.” — Tommy Dillard, 8, of 515 Ripley Ave., Akron
“Jesus was born and children singing Christmas carols and Christmas is fun thats what Christmas means to me.” — Donna Donley, 11, of 133 Southwest Ave., Tallmadge
“Christmas means to me is when Christ was born in a manger. The Savior was to die on the cross for us and our sins that we have done wrong in pass years and was our heart clean and let Christ come into our hearts.” — Debbie Stadler, 10, of 510 Lansing Road, Akron
“Having my grandparents coming to spend Christmas eve, and staying all night also giving and receiving gifts.” — Elaine Crawford, 11, of 7141 River Styx Road, Medina
“A smile; a coo; a happy laugh; a joyful scream. P.S. My mom helped me.” — Harry Gates, 5 months, of 1219 Barcelona Drive, Akron
“Joy around the world for all people. God loves us so much that he gave his son to die on the cross for our sins.” — Lois Mate, 9, of 1977 Willowdale Drive, Stow
“Christmas means a happy time with your friends and family to me you get lots of presents and have fun.” — Angela Ong, 10, of 402 Morgan St., Barberton
“To me Christmas means going to midnight Mass to celebrate Christ’s birthday because that’s the real meaning of Christmas.” — Julie Data, 11, 1523 Eighth St., Cuyahoga Falls
“Christmas is a time when Jesus was borned. I think everyone should celebrate his birthday and worship him.” — Rita Titus, 10, of 1295 Atwood Ave., Akron
“Christmas is a time for love, giving and sharing. It’s a time for families to reunite.” — Laurie Weisner, 11, of 1953 Auten Drive, Akron
“It means to me Jesus born in the manger and dear old Santa Claus.” — Pam Warden, 8, of 733 Iona Ave., Akron
“Christmas means to me the birthday of Jesus Christ because if it were not for him there would be no Christmas.” — Donna Jean Moerch, 8, of 1001 Boone St., Akron
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“The Lords birth. Helping poor people. Getting toys. Decorateing our tree and having a feast.” — Tim Wagner, 8, of 205 Morgan St., Barberton
“Christmas to me is gifts from my relatives. It is also a time to give as well as to receive. Christmas is Christmas trees, happy faces, candy and cards.” — Sherrie Diese, 12, of 230 Van Buren Ave., Cuyahoga Falls
“Being merry and happy and writing letters to the soldiers and having them come home soon.” — Faith Maria Tinsley, 6, of 1230 Manchester Road, Akron
“It means a great deal to me. It is a time of happiness and give to others.” — Dave Rotilie, 10, of 40 Ansel Ave., Akron
“Christmas to me this year is having my uncle John home from the Navy all the time.” — Allen Halliwell, 7, of Route 1, Rittman
“The birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. We should worship him on that day, but instead it is too commercialized.” — Keith Lawrence, 12, of 2544 Canton Road, Akron
“Christmas is pretty like the paper on packages.” — David Koch, 6, of 1578 Oakwood Ave., Akron
“Christmas is a time for the whole family to get together to celebrate the joy and happiness of Christmas.” — Patricia Nugent, 11, of 3489 Oak Road, Stow
“Toys, God, some little snowflakes dancing in the air. Santa and his deer. Yours truely.” — Theodore Fielding, 7, of 467 Chalker St.
“It’s a time to be joys that God sent Jesus to die for us and one or two toys.” — Mathias Huber, 10, of 2710 11th St., Cuyahoga Falls
“It means happiness to me. It means I should be nice to my sister and brother.” — John Nash, 8, of 937 Baughman St., Akron
“It’s Jesus’s birthday. It shows Santa Claus likes you.” — Tony Russo, 7, of 875 Columbia Ave., Akron
“Christmas means happiness, peace, love, unselfishness throughout the world. MERRY CHRISTMAS.” — Katherine Johnson, 11, of 3466 Curtis St., Mogadore
Mark J. Price can be reached at mprice@thebeaconjournal.com.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: What does Christmas mean? Kids explained it in 1970
