The Arkansas banner., 1849-12-25
# Ewnn.1Sos d. auaa.s.l
CAriaamn

CAfta8@M8.
 Thsys s . drsaniasus--n fancFfal plctusinz-- | bende1 wisihs tsal aad Aaxlbls. which render this fsssiva ef the year enc of the aoss ,suehingy beaa tifal of the golden links of cur existence. The l lights and shadows which hesaidca the birth of Christ. differ widely from anything known, ia his tory of the most conspicuous aetOrs la fes ftfal drama They srs che eoaamiagIings of aa smbla- zoameat of the most waadeFfal events with siaga- iaF eOatrasss of grandeur and glory, abaseEsens. weakness aud poverty all concentrated in the babe of Be'hiehem, wsaPt ia a swaalAg clothes " aud lying in manger. Lining the mildswed drapsry from the frosty ca of ages long since passed away ia form sad siisnt Ia acten, light breaks from their sepuIchres where no mealsering shells of er saIity cucumber s;.sis dssolase psis. Around that lgh. it shapes of wOadruus beauty, high aseessral names are whispered in low muiElcd tones the "pomP and cireams.sace of glorious war" pass in review before US the mighty movements of nation al pride aAd honor strike thseaE Hks the masesines of distant thuades, and the progression of human improvement sheds its bF,liianey every where, aad lights tAs world with flashes of Renias and great ness that mirnies Heaven. A vast pano'ana rises in the distance, blended with the most gorgeous ia- agsry. dissOlviag and rsappeariag like the changss tn kaleidoscope. And yet ell this array of power and gorgeoasness seemed but the advance guard tho elite of honoT the earthquake throbbinga the grand prelude which preceded the advent of trembling babe whose mission was to establish a kingdom ua- der new and un,hOugh,-of phasss. to which there should be no end, neither in time nor in eternity.
 .asL.- .E. ted in the early dawn of the Christian era with strange incengruity of design and action. Blended at frs. with religious services aoae, 1t seemed to parake more of the gloom of the grave than the new born efuIgence of the moral spring. After the fall of the Roman Empire, it appeared in the tiasel and glare of a semi barbaEces age and was celebrated with aE intermixture of Christian and heathea ac- compartments. Daring the reign of the crusades it blssed in the pageautry of knghthood-it was stately and gothc-like, occasionally touched and softsned with the mystical observances of giant though sincere devotion. Anon 1t changed the meas of it's mood the tramp of irOa-cased warriors aad the mad ohivaIry of the age began to assume the ga-b add manner of natural life. Christmas was then ushered in with the wild soags of bachan-
 
 ded with instruments of music, combining all pos sible harmoniss of sound and measure. Thea foI- flowed the age of psntomiIne. aad Christmas wss represented by series of scenic represer tations, comic and tragic combined, that would dsty the pencil of Hogarth lo deiineate. This capped the climax of that of folly, madness and crime. Civ iIizlton began her first serious struggles with bar I at.. of redemption was d, hand. Literature, the arts and sciences burst from their enthrimeat. Phys icai force welded uproaous reveIlings as well as to supcrstitious ausierities gave way before tho brightness of their rising.
 The anniversary of the Rsdesmer now appeared under new re9ime, wearing the costume Of clvil iEed life, though, not yet. wholly stipt of the gaud and tnsel It came attended by innocent sports aud pastines, and the cAangs gradually wrought wonders.
 In these last stirring and eveu,ral years, Christ mas is celebrated in mauner that happily assiyni. lates to the digaed and instructive nature of It's claims, and the diviae Beiag to whom il refers The aged haiI it with deep and solemn reverence, the yoath, with that abandonment coageuial with tae sprig of fife, redoent of tbs music Of birds and he perfume of flowers, and deas children come skipping along with their little hearts wild with joy in aniicpatoa of Christmas gifs and toys innuner- able. and holiyday reerealions. The day Is hailed, both as pleasant festival and season of thanks- giving aud prayer
 But Christians bears upon its brow the impress Of au era which, among the phenomena Of human fife, hath parallel nor likeness The grandeur of creation suddenly emerging from the untravel- eI. unknown, iato life aad beauty at the voice of God fails in subiimity, when compared with that moral creation which Savior called into existence from the deeper-dyed chaos of mans unhappy fall The occasion which brings to light many hap py memorials and all their precious moral iaiuen- ces, cannot but be holy day. May it be also day of love aud gadness. and happy associations with us all.
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