THESE WINNERS each received a $100 gift certificate from the Galleria in Edina, Minnesota, and a writer's journal from Barnes & Noble bookstores.

THIS CHRISTMAS

Mend a quarrel.
Seek out a forgotten friend.
Share some treasure. Give a soft answer.
Encourage an enemy. Keep a promise.
Listen.
Apologize if you were wrong.
Think first of someone else.
Be kind and gentle.
Laugh a little. Laugh a lot more.
Express your gratitude.
Gladden the heart of a child.
Take pleasure in the beauty and
wonder of the earth.
Speak your love.

—Fran Anderson, Hackensack, Minnesota

Glad Tidings

Oh Lord, these five years in prison were rough, but the parole board granted me freedom two days before Christmas. I rode the bus from prison, fearing to meet my father after betraying my family name.
To my delight, he greeted me with outstretched arms as I exited the bus.
"My prodigal son!" he cried, embracing me. "Christmas is for forgiving. I have no fatted calf to kill. Accept my love instead."

—George Bedard, Brainerd, MN

This holiday season, may you find joy and peace.
May you give love and inspire hope in others
May you reach a goal, may you start a new friendship.
May you say a prayer for someone and have a prayer
said for you. And throughout the year, may you
have a precious memory of this joyous season.

—Carolyn Brostrom (Grade 8)

SEASON OF GOOD TIDINGS

Stillness
Echoes in the night.
A star,
Bright with hope, renews
what is known, but lost,
Visible in dreams only,
Living in the spirit
Of what once was.
Love—
Joy—
Peace—
Promises of the season,
Message of the heart.
Time, hovering on the edge,
Granting the wish
Of Christmas.

—Lucie Ferrell, Mahtomedi, Minnesota

A TOAST

To each of us, to ALL of us,
To those seated around our table
And to those present in our hearts —
May this NEW YEAR bring us
Health, Joy and a
World of Possibilities —
And may we all meet again
At this very table in the
Year to come!

—Leighton Holmes, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Our best to those who love us most,
and forgiveness to ones who like us least.
Cheers for our most attentive hosts,
and fond tears for those of whom we can only speak.
We keep you close. Be merry, friends:
Let's raise our glasses again and again,
before we rest. To all, God bless. God bless

—Karen Kraco, Milton, Massachusetts

May all who are within the range of my voice, and even those who are far beyond it, enjoy during this sacred season:

• enough challenge in life to make them grow;
  
• enough tears to make them tender;
  
• enough hurts to make them humane;
  
• enough success to keep them going with a bounce in their steps;
  
• enough joy to keep a song in their hearts; and
  
• enough presence of mind to know from Whom their blessings come!
  

—Carl L. Manfred, Edina, Minnesota

"For unto us a Child is born" destined to gift a waiting world with love.

Blessed be the GIFT GIVERS who brighten lives of others: children, the aged and lonely, the afflicted . . . who seek and find.

Let heralds shout to every town, city, street: Love is born again! Let His Grandeur break over the world in sounding or soundless harmony. Let lovers love. Let compassion flow. Let Faith instruct.

We who have been gifted, breathlessly proclaim: God is with us!

O marvelous gift! O marvelous world!

—Kathryn Mayer, SSND, Mankato, Minnesota

BLESSED CHRISTMAS

Blessed for Christmas day
The little baby in the hay
Blessed for the manger scene
Blessed for the new-born King.

—Daphne Payne (Age 10) Buffalo, Minnesota

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence: May you find peace, tolerance, love and abundance at Christmas and through the new year!

—Tom Skogstrom, Minneapolis, Minnesota

May you Cheat, Steal and Lie.
May you Cheat death, Steal time,
and Lie in the arms of your loved ones always. . .

—Cynthia Smith