Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1855-12-22
CHRISTMAS.

Public men, public measures, and public OPT
Mon, so far as all of them are merely political, are
at no period Of the year so completely forgotten
and overlooked as during the preparations for
Christmas and the festivities Of the season ITSELF
Nor is it to be regretted; the evil spirit too often
evoked by the conflicts Of men and parties should
sometimes be exercised and laid to rest; and at
what season could this be more ftly done than at
this, when the thoughts are recalled by sacred
associations to things holy and solemn, and by social
usage to those kindly and cheering observances
that have given-and we hope long will retain-to
Christmas the adjunct of Merry" 1t was a
beautiful belief-one we can scarcely bring our
selves to call perstition-which disarmed, at
this season, the malignant beings Of the popular
Imagination of all power to harm mankind at the
epoch of the birth of mans Redeemer.
But there are other spirits than these, and
unhappily they are almost ever present. who are
our worst tormentors; the most potent enemies Of
man are his own bad passions his strifes, unchar-
itableness and envyings that "sufer not to rest.
That there should be one period Of the year,
then, when these can be, even in part, forgotten
Or suspended is thing to rejoice over. One Of
the great sources Of public bitterness being politics.
1t Is pleasant to see all that belongs to them put
for ashort time in allegiance, and as far as we are
able, we will heartily assist in doing so, turning
with pleasure to the many other associations which
the recurrence of Christmas brings.
Some of them are too sacred to be dwelt on
here; the feeling Of reverence that should sur
round the cradle Of the Divine Founder Of our
faith, cannot permit that they should be brought
into conjunction with lighter and trivial things
they may be alluded to, inasmuch as they cannot
but be remembered; but more than an alusion
would be out Of place. Remembering, then, the
humble roof in the village Of Bethlehem, which
was once the shrine to which came the star.guided
steps Of the Eastern Kings, with offerings Of gold
and insence, foreshadowing the homage the ns-
tons and monarchs Of the world were yet to pay
to the Christian faith, let us pass over all the
mighty space Of time between that hour and this,
and, noticing not the wonderous changes it has
affected, let Us come at once to our own day and
time, to the period in which our own lot is ap-
pointed.
How did last Christmas leave us! How win
this Christmas find U.S. In two things there is a
certainty that viii apply to all we are older in
time and richer in experience; in all else what
variety Of change; which, however, great as it
IS does not diminish the heartines Of the welcome
we all give to Christmas!
Why should it do so? II is q good, old, hearty
festival; it is the season at which "a active exer-
dse Of benevolence and charity is called for, Is
being the best acknowledgment Of individual and
national blessings Our country Is At peace:
No war nor bassle's sound
The idle spear and shield are high uphung.
An abundant harvest has crowned the year with
increase and the people are prosperous and happy.
For Ill these blessings thanks 1t this season Of
joyfulness are due. But lei us not forget the
while, that in these blessings a are not partakerx
eere . the cold hearth, the shive.ing frame, the
poverty-sFiken countenance. Some Of these are
with us-the dark contrast 70 the bright side
Of the social picture. TO say . these, Be ye
warmed, and be ye filed, ID not enough. We
must act % well Is feel; relieve = ven q CON-
miserate; and one Of the best companions to the
cheerful hearth and plentiow board which welcome
Christmas in thousands Of happy homes, ia the
thought that Charity has shed reflex Of their
hshs N some dark retreat where that light was
sorely needed.