William Ostrum 
Dec. 25, 1994 
William J. Ostrum, 63, Of Lower Demunds Road, Dallas, Died Sunday In 
Wilkes-barre General Hospital.

Sunday, December 25, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 10B 





A sense of the sacred can bring out our best &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The kids are watching their new video. The bows have been recovered for
next year's presents. The living-room floor is again visible, the wrapping
paper having been picked upAnd the coffee's on -- ahh, the Christmas morning
coffee. So pause now while you've got a moment, and consider two things. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First: For the past few weeks, the focus of activity in every neighborhood,
every town, every city in the United States of America has been the events
planned for this morning. The U.S. unites around Christmas as it does around
few other holidays. Add Hannukah to the experience, and the cultural unity is
almost complete. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 From frosty Maine to tropical Hawaii, Santa is everywhere, wearing 100,000
fur hats and 100,000 red winter coats. (A jarring sight in Honolulu, to be
sure.) Wreaths swing from light fixtures in Anchorage and in Miami; blinking
lights brighten doorways in Philadelphia and in San Francisco, too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Christmas season is an annual boost for virtually every retail business
in the land, which means virtually every manufacturer as well. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 And although the giving of gifts is one centerpiece of the season, the
religious underpinnings never really are forgotten. Even nominally Christian
or Jewish homes have a manger or menorah displayed. Church attendance jumps
dramatically during the season. And of course, ancient tributes to that
"Little Town of Bethlehem" and its famous "Silent Night" flow into radios, CD
players and shopping malls across the land, stirring our ancestral memories. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The holy traditions give the season their sense of peace and goodwill, too.
Unkindness is a tragedy any time of year. But it has a special sting at
Christmas, when people go out of their way to be friendly to their fellow men
and women. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's why churches and soup kitchens make a special effort to feed the
needy during this time of year. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In short, during the month of December, a kind of spiritual umbrella
shelters the people of the United States. It not only shields us from many of
life's hardships, but also frees us to join hands and celebrate in a
remarkable spirit of national togetherness. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Most people would agree that the Christmas season's traditions bring out
our national character at its best. Presidents usually say as much in their
annual Christmas message, which some write while gazing out the White House
window at the National Christmas Tree. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That's the first thing to consider this fine morning. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The second is this: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If our country not only survives but thrives by jointly embracing these
religious traditions... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ... then why are we so afraid of religion in public schools? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Isn't the harmony that Christmas and Hannukah bring to our nation a
reasonable goal for our kids in school? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Think about it. And have a very merry Christmas while you do. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Sense Of The Sacred Can Bring Out Our Best 
The Kids Are Watching Their New Video. The Bows Have Been Recovered For Next 
Year's Presents. The Living-room Floor Is Again Visible, The Wrapping Paper 
Having Been Picked Up.

A Sense Of The Sacred Can Bring Out Our Best The Kids Are Watching Their New Video. The Bows Have Been Recovered For Next Year's Presents. The Living-room Floor Is Again Visible, The Wrapping Paper Having Been Picked Up.