Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-24
COMMUNICATED.
CHRIS TN AS.

Through the lapse of some twenty winters,
distinctly recolect my feelings, when an older
boy first announced to me the simple and heau'i
Ia! superstition that on Christmas Eve, at the
hour of midnight, the cattle always kneel IL
would be an easy and amusing. though mt very
profitable, task to trace this innocent ahsurdity
10 it's true sources. |, Is much more TO our pur-
pose, aud more in harmony with our feelings at
lhi, time to Draw from it its proper and touching
morality, as gently reminding us OF the homage
with which our hearts should anticipate the Fes-
tival Of Him, who, at this time, "came to
visit US in great humility" Duller, indeed.
must we be than the poor OK that teadeth out the
grain, If our hearts need more than to be remind
ed of this week, 10 humble ourselves IN ierven',
grateful, joyful acknowledge ent Of that unsPeak-
able gi!t.
An. give elf unto Hin, full and free,
hat ia ANA Tree y gave Himself TO thee
II /, not possible that a Christian heart eau
fail TO mark with especial reverence the approach
of Christmas IL seems to US as the one - hal
c,on moment of the year." when vain regrets
must cease, unhallowed murmurs be still, all
bitterness and malice laid aside, and the whole
subdued aud softened heart put on its beautiful
garments of faith and hope apd love, to welcome
the coming Of the Prince of Peace"
Ii is beautiful trait in thuslistory OF our Re-
l;yiou. that it has ever been SO conversant with
humble aud rural life, aud that 80 much OF Its
be,utifu, imagery comes from the field, the Vine
ward and sheep, fold. What an inmitable pas
toral scene. "And there we're in same conn'Iy,
shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch
over their flock by night"
To our mind, this festival has ever borrowed
charm from its celebration in the winter. Il Is
=, comfortable to look through driving snow, and
binding sleet. to the 6eaming face OF merr. Christ,
mas: there is such contrast between the stern
seventies without, and the radiant cheerfunes IS
within: there is such GENIAL warmth in the
friendly Christians hand, and such brightness
in the kindly Christians eye, aud such glow OF
faith aud hope and joy and love, in the exultlng
Christian 5 heart-that scarcely know if Christ.
mas would be Christmas at any other season; and
am quite sure, without it Il rugged winter could
hardly be endured. And then what noble oc.
cssion for Christian charity. pity the man OF
.womaifthat (barns filled 'ciih pie"ty) can go to
rest, that night, without having provided tor me''
comfort and cheerfulness who have neither bas
ket nor store, barrel Of meal nor cruise OF OIL
The poor we have always with US. The want;
OF the sick and needy are ever to be supplied
But in the winter-on Christmas day-let it moi
be said, that. in any Christendom, there was d
want, a sorrow known to Christian bounty, and
within the reach OF ITS relief, that vas not reach
ed and relieved.
The winter should also remind us that, how
ever dark aud drear the world around US, the no
mare of our best affections should rise up to Hin
whose coming we celebrate. That the fragrance
of our unfeigned fervent love should ever arise
frum hearts unchlled by the winter OF this wick
ed world.