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Show 1 ij1T SEEMS unavoidable that our Easter l!1issue should always start with an account of the previous Christmas. The events of the day were planned to be right in the pattern of previous years -~ the High Mass in Church, the archery contest, the dinner of elk meat and beans-, the distribution of the toys that you all had a share in providing. But we can plan as we will - things don't always turn out just like that. Before the church bells sounded it had started to rain. Well, we are always-nearly always -grateful for rain in this arid country, but we failed to appreciate it on this occasion. We really didn't think that any - well very many - Navahos would brave the elements, but to our surprise the church was well filled. By the time Mass was over the rain had abated and Walter Robertson took the bows, arrows and other paraphernalia to the range and the Navaho men and boys lined up for the contest - with one White man, who incidentally got the best score! Generously he yielded to the Navajo lad who had the next best score. Then the rain began again in dead earnest. Dinner was served as usual, except that it was to a very wet group of guests. Usually there is a long queue, but they were smart enough to keep under cover until such time as they thought they would get their plates as soon as they came to the window, and then they ran for cover again. Everybody was in a good humor and took things in their stride. One Navajo man said with a radiant smile: "This is a Christmas rain, a beautiful Christmas present for everybody. The sheep will have more grass, and our children will have more sheep meat to eat and they will grow healthy and strong. It is a good rain and everybody should say 'Thank you' to God." IHIELEN submits this one: A Navahomes-senger is usually a surprise. During Vespers on a cold and dark January evening, there was a persistent wailing of a small child outside the church. I sent a responsible, dependable boy of seven and a half years of age out to deal with the problem. |