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twelve days following Christmas day, on Epiphany, January 6th, when gifts are exchanged. In Italy, the idea o f Santa Claus is a World War II inno vation which arrived via the G.I.s. Pathetically, throughout Europe, Christmas is rapidly becoming Americanized with a commercial climate influenc ing its celebration. American missionaries in Europe find a most intense longing for home at Christmas time. Only in church services is the Bible account of Christ's birth recognized. Seldom are special Christmas programs conducted in church. “We long to hear some Christmas carols on the radio or TV, or in the churches,” comment the Christian workers. In Sweden, Christians and non-Christians alike sing folk songs and dance around the tree. These songs have no hint o f Christ in them. Not a store win dow in all of Stockholm carries a message of Christ’s birth. In Catholic countries to the south, however, manger scenes are common. Every good Italian Roman Catholic home builds a “presipio” with the virgin Mary, the Christ child and the manger scene. A vigorous contest is held between churches to create the most beautiful “ presipio” . Evangelicals, however, never will allow a manger scene in their homes because o f the Roman Catholic connotation. Missionaries must pack away their creches, lest they offend evangelical friends. In Europe, the big day for greeting cards is New Year’s Day. Christmas Day is predominantly a day o f feasting and visiting. Strong family ties still exist. After a special dinner of turkey, pork, or perhaps the Christmas goose (depending wheth- er you are in Greece, France or Germany), the re mainder of the day is spent happily visiting with family and friends. Special church services are often held in the morning, but only the most pious will allow religion to interfere with their Christ mas festivities. Quaint and ancient superstitions from more primitive days still surround celebrations in many European rural communities. As in America at Christmastime, the missionary and his evangelical friends must search to find and fight to maintain spiritual truths. They must witness to the unadul- terated message which broke the silence o f that Judean night : “Unto you is bom this day in the city of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord.” The fact that St. Nicholas has been defrocked in 1969, and his very existence has been repudiated by the Roman Church which created him, did not stop the flow o f the “holy liquid” . So, I tucked the potent potion safely into my pocket and departed Bari, thankful that even though St. Nicholas never lived, Jesus Christ “ ever liveth” and ever giveth life and immortality to all the peoples o f Europe and the whole world who believe on Him. k b Mr. Walter Frank is General Director of Greater Europe
Cont. from p. 25 President: Mr. Billy Zeoli. Supply films to more than 220 different missionary organizations, distributed in 134 coun tries. Gospel Missionary Union Drawer C SmithviUe, Missouri 64089 President: Robert J. Reinmiller. Active Missionaries: 300. Countries: 20 coun tries including Europe, Morocco, Mali, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, British Honduras, Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, Alaska. Specialized Ministries: educa tion, medical work, radio, church plant ing, evangelism. Needs: 40 mission aries. Gospel Mission of South America 21 Evans Place Pompton Plains, New Jersey 07444 General Director: Rev. George M. Black. Active Missionaries: 60. Coun tries: Chile and expecting to enter Argentina soon. Specialized Ministries: church planting, radio, youth, children’s work, student work, evangelism, Bible institute ministry, c o r r e s p o nd e n c e courses. Needs: 20 missionaries. Gospel Recordings, Inc. 122 Glendale Boulevard Los Angeles, California 90026 Director: Joy Ridderhof. Active Mis sionaries: 80. Records are available for almost every country of the world. Fac tories and offices in many countries. Specialized Ministries: sending out the Gospel message in over 3,500 languages and dialects by means of phonograph records. Needs: several travelling field recordists, office workers, factory and studio technicians (in Los Angeles and overseas). General Director: Rev. Walter Frank. Active Missionaries: 150. Countries: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Aus tria, Sweden, Greece, Portugal. Special ized Ministries: Bible Institutes in France, Germany, Rome, Sweden. Needs: 500 missionaries during the next ten years. Home of Onesiphorus 3939 North Hamlin Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60618 President: Mr. George E. Hedberg. Active Missionaries: 10. Countries: Hong Kong, Beirut, Lebanon, Ramal- lah, Israel, Taiwan. Needs: married couple—Hong Kong and married cou ple—Beirut. International Christian Fellowship General Director: Rev. E. Keith Jones. Active Missionaries: 140. Countries: India, Pakistan, Nepal, Iran, Seychelle Islands. Specialized Ministries: medi cine, radio, Bible c o r r e s p o nd e n c e schools, orphanages. Cont. on p. 40 Greater Europe Mission 214 North Hale Street Wheaton, Illinois 60178 107 North Hale Street Wheaton, Illinois 60178
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DECEMBER, 1969
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