thousand mothers among the women of Bethlehem ransom the Child of the grotto with a thousand children in the bloom of spring??
...As though Jesus were nothing but a table rich with food at which man fills his belly on Christmas night!
...As though Jesus were nothing but a net with which man snares the goods and the honor of others on Christmas night!!!
...As though Jesus were... a nail that man drives into the flesh of Jesus's brothers and companions... on Christmas night?..
And a thousand children of the children of Bethlehem, yielding their necks to the knife of Herod the butcher — were they not a ransom for the children of Christmas, on Christmas night...??
And a thousand mothers of the daughters of men, who put on black and shed tears — were they not a ransom for every mother on Christmas night??
O Jesus...
The star has not yet risen... it lingers still, bewildered, upon the horizon... far away... When, one wonders, will it rise??
And the shepherds of the mountains still wait in their great joy... and the Magi of the East still ask after You... beyond the borders?
...And Herod's knife still sinks into the necks of the children...
The night has seen them, in their nakedness, their abasement, and their pains, dying at the gates of the great churches... on Christmas night...
And the sweet morning star has seen them... on Christmas morning, in the east of the earth and in its west, their necks being cut... a ransom for Christmas night...
Because the beautiful divine Child has not yet been born in the grotto...
So, O bells of Christmas... choke your voices in the cold iron, choke them... until the beautiful Child is born... Jesus...

This Issue

Dar al-Kitab publishes this special issue of The Woman's Voice on the occasion of the blessed feast of Christmas. It is, as readers can see, a considerable effort that has demanded much sacrifice. Yet every sacrifice is light in the cause of carrying out the mission we resolved upon the day we took upon ourselves the direction and publication of this magazine.

We promise our readers, women and men, that we shall keep moving forward. And nothing will be wanting to us in keeping on this course but the help of God and the support of our countrywomen and countrymen at home and abroad. Support in words — expressions of admiration and appreciation — is necessary, but it does not avail as much as support in deeds. And that can come only through personal effort to increase this magazine's readers and friends. There is no doubt that there are circles under this Arab sky which The Woman's Voice has not yet reached — and reach them it must.

Thus, Madam, an important responsibility rests upon you, if you believe in the mission for which this magazine was founded — the responsibility of working to spread this magazine wherever you are able. For you know full well the Arab woman's need for magazines like this one, whose function, before all else, is to be a free platform on which women's opinions meet, and to carry the news of her activity in every walk of life.

This special issue comprises the two issues of December 1946 and January 1947. And since the third year begins in January, this issue accordingly counts toward the collection of the second year and the third year together.

May we always meet with the favor we encounter everywhere, and may we also always be faithful to the mission we are intent on performing with unshakable faith and a devotion untouched by weakness.

SHEAFFER'S "TRIUMPH" TUCKAWAY

She deserves The Finest

SHEAFFER'S "TRIUMPH" TUCKAWAY

Elegance and beauty. It never fails you.

Sheaffer's pens serve you for years and adorn your desk or your pocket. It is the loveliest gift you can give to anyone you care for.

Sole agents:

J. Sarrafian

Beirut — P.O. Box 381

17