“CHRISTMAS EVE” in the 1940’s”

Dec 24th “CHRISTMAS EVE” in the 1940’s”

Do you attend the CHURCH of your choice to CELEBRATE – -what the “EVE of CHRISTMAS is all about?

This is taken in the CHAPEL of GERMAN St. Vincent Orphanage – – and we would follow the very same procedure at the very same time – – only some of the children partaking might be different – – as he older children graduated from the eighth grade and left – – the younger children – – having been here for years – – knew just how and what to do – and when.

The girls were on the left side of the building living quarters and so we were on the left side pews of the Church – – and the boys were always on the right side pews – – as you can see – – and that looks like my brother, TOMMY – – the boy in the pew in front of the NUN – – and he is third from the left side aisle – – in a fairly white color shirt.

After our Church Services – – ending the “ADVENT SEASON” we would proceed to the class rooms – – and this was the best part of the evening. Each child would go to the class room and in single file – -and we would sing CHRISTMAS SONGS – – and walk around the perimeter of the “class room” – and this would be for a few minutes – – to give each child the chance to view from a distance their desk – – and their friends desk – – to see what was on the desk – – that was for them for CHRISTMAS.

One year… as we were doing the “march” around the room – – there was this beautiful “BRIDE DOLL” standing on my desk top – – “I could hardly believe that – this beautiful doll was for me – – it must be a mistake!” I even ask the NUN, Sister Florence – – if this was for sure for me? She said it was for me – – and I was really so HAPPY – – to have received such a beautiful CHRISTMAS present!

“to be continued… tomorrow”