New-York daily tribune., 1865-12-23
darkness and anxious to see the light When
that light falls upon the true path no is not the
man to abandon il.
CHRISTMAS.

CHRISTMAS.
The day on which was born the child whose
life Of all Others grew to be the most precious
to the world, has very sweetly and happily be-
come festival day for the children. The
religious associations are very dear to many, yet
We suppose the most delightful memories and
anticipations concerning the day areintertwined
with the pleasures it brings to the young. 1t is
wholly free from any trace of gloom. Its
religion is a religion not OF awe and horror
but of hope and promise, and out OF this has
crown tho universal devotion of the day to the
happincss Of those dear boys and girls who
| brighten our homes. We are not all so Old
that we cannot remember when Christmas
promised us the great happiness Of the year
What would we not give for the privilege Of ex-
pecting the sweet surprises of Monday morning
AS we once were young and fresh enough to OK
pect them All! the children. Who does not
envy them their unquestioDing belief In santa
! Claus and his abundant blessings 7 The night
in which that delightful saint descends so
many chimncys, in what blissful unrest, and
with what gorgeous dreams do the children
spend it. We wish them every one more
gifts than the biggest stocking could
possibly hold, and we will get the start
of everybody, if we can, in shouting
the merrest of Merry Christmases in the ears
of the darling creatures. For once the news
paper that Papa is so busy with at breakfast
shall have something beside those odious
politics in it, and Papa, if he is never so busy,
will have TO read out to the shining faces what
was written especially for them. The TRIBUNE
that lay freezing on the doorstep TINS eoid
morning kept warm heart and cordial
good wishes for all tho children. II
I any of the fathers and mothers-whlch
we cannot believe--had forgotten about those
presents, we remind them of it to-day while
there is time, and will try in that way to earn a
\ little bit of gratitude from few cur!y-headed
! boys and bright-eycd girls with cheeks as soft
as peaches. For days We have filled our col
umns with advertisements OF nothing Du'
Christmas presents-perhaps, little boy, when
YOU thought Papa was puzzling his head over
Congress, and even Mamma took up the
paper when YOU wanted her to sew on
button, they were hunting where to buy
,ha, wonderful rocking-horse, that drum, thai
handsome book. which You viii find in youl
stocking Monday morning. You have MOI
dreamed anything finer than the reality. Suct
Aladdin palaces as your sleeping thoughts con
structed are not half so lovely'as the homelies
present which comes TO you with the love OF
dear friend who gives it. Enjoy them al
heartily. Every Christmas is happier than tha
which follows Il.
There can be no festival in America this yea
which j. not, for every loyal citizen, Thauks
giving. Ia the old Church calendars there use'
70 be- set agans, Christmas Eve the legend
, Tnyla eJornenfur-adorn the temples. Vel
: ws wrea,he the walls with eyergreen-with IVY
and holly-ani obey tho legend literally, bu
We DO not obey it truly unless we adorn then
with legends Of religious and heroic deeds. IL
do il. We have only TO choose from tn
, history of the last four years. IL IS In
possible to think OF this years Christmas ant
not contrast II with last years, and with th
three preceding that. How many homes ar
!, JOS ous to-day that year ago waited IN unuttoT
able fear FOR news from the battle-iields O
Virginia, How many hearts the last fou
years have stopped beating on Christina
, morning to listen to the tidings from tn
biy9uac by the frozen Potomac! And nov
! the only thought is that lie whose birtl
we are TO celebrate came To the work
= as the Prince of Peace and this anniversar.
can at lost be fifty welcomed By Republic NJ
!, longer severed by strife. OF all the peoples o
: the earth it is this nation which should usher il
the morning Of Christmas with anthems of graft
tude for the mercies which have been granted
us. The year hes ended the war, and swep
\. away the cause Of war, and opened TO us sucl
-, a futare a. ken of prophet, or hope of en'husas
;, never foresaw, future % which no augury cal
,s be too bright
,f Yea truth and justice tlen
II VIII down return TO men,
Orbd in u ranoow; md like glorics wearing
Mercy will SIT between.
Ihroncd in celestial sheen.
Z With radiant fee, tn, tissued clouds down steer
ing;
J. And heaven. as at some festival.
N Will open wide the gates of her high palace hail.
:. The Richmond Enquirer asks THE TRIBUNE L