ISSUE DATE: December 15 1972; Vol 73, No 24

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IN THIS ISSUE:-
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COVER: SPECIAL DOUBLE ISSUE: The JOYS OF CHRISTMAS.

The birth of a child -- perhaps the most precious gift of all -- is the abiding theme of Christmas. It has never been more tenderly portrayed than in the painting (right) by Georges de La Tour, a detail from which appears on our cover. It was painted around 1645 in La Tour's native province of Lorraine, France, and though it is titled simply The Newborn, it is clearly a holy scene: the Infant Jesus with the Virgin Mary and Mary's mother, Anne. Serene and hushed, the picture glows with a joy and reverence that still permeate Christmas today, however much obscured by tinsel and commercial clamor. In this issue, LIFE shows the many varieties of Christmas joy, and the spirit of goodwill that can bring families, friends and fellow beings together in bonds that go beyond a day, a season and even beyond a special faith.

BETHLEHEM: Twenty centuries after the birth of Christ, it is still a place of beauty and worship. A picture essay by Farrell Grehan.

HUBBUB ON THE FARM: Photographer Leonard McCombe shows what Christmas is like on a family farm -- his own.

THE CHILD JESUS: An affectionately inventive account of the birth and boyhood of Christ by a medieval monk.

MASTERMINDS AT PLAY: Some ingenious grown-ups get a chance to see what they can do with children's playthings.

DOUGH HO HO!: From the oven of super-clever cooks, art that you can admire and even eat, including what may be the world's fanciest cookie.

DOLL DREAMS: Primitive or lifelike, every doll is a springboard for the dreams of childhood. A portfolio by seven celebrated photographers.

HOME TO IOWA: The loving and painful ritual of a yearly journey into the past. By Dora Jane Hamblin.

THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY: Visions of Christmastime in America -- splendid, tawdry and serene.

YEARS AGO.
CELEBRATING WITH WC. FIELDS.
AN ALMANAC OF DECEMBER 25.
DOING UNTO OTHERS.
THEY STOLE MY TREE.
NAVI DAD IN MEXICO.
BOW WOW OFA PRESENT.
20 YEARS ON SANTA'S KNEE.
PANIC IN A PEAR TREE.

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