New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-12-25
CHRISTMAS.

To analyze Christmas or search underneath
its rubicund face for the sources of its sponta-
neOus life, is like dissecting the remains OF a
friend to find an explanation of the reasons of
our regard for him. When we can dissect
Christmas, and explain either reiglously. phi
losophically, OF historically the reasons for its
observance, OF the source Of its charm, we
must have already bid last farewell, not only
to our beloved friend, but to our own natural
affections, which should be shocked at the
thought of such an exposure. fig for all the
mint anse -and-cummin" Investigators, who
| ponder whether the child was born at Bethle
hem on this particular day, but neglect the
weightier matter whether his spirit of love-
humility, and affection shall burst like sun
rise over this Christian Festival. What though
this was season of merry making for
thousand years before the event occurred which
now mingles sacredness with its festivitiesf
Would the material feast derive any new
charms if it were divested of all spiritual and
religious assOciationsl Would we eat and drink
i'm happier mood if we could forget the over
shadowing remembrance OF the birth of the
Author of our Civilization our Humanity, and
our Faith
iollity and feasting. The rythm of the seasons
calls for refrain of JOY at this time by u
power as mysterious but iTepressible as the
movements of that Soul in Nature which few
months later bursts the bonds of Winter, I'M
locks the solid streams, and warns the world
into motion, hight, and beauty. When nature
without is shrouded in white as for burial, and
the fireside within CLOVIS with ruddy flames
that light up scenes of revelry and mirth, the
soul is doubly impressed with that pivotal fact
of mans existence, on which all his experience
turns viz: the eternal life that shall soon end,
and the Life within that shall glow forever.
Midwinter at once compels cessation from
| labor and stimulates to active amusement. In
modern Europe or America, in ancient Rome
or Athens, in the Ninth Century or the Nine
teenth, Nature has asserted herself. Pride,
ambition, and .avarce have relaxed their hold.
Stiff and venerable old age has gamboled
away its gradually approaching paralysis for q
day, and WORKOUT mind and body have re-
newed their lovelness and vigor in that fOun-
tain of eternal youth which Ponce de Leon
(and which of us is not Ponce de Leon y sought
for in vain in the wilds and jungles of Florida.
Presents, feasting, song, games OF young and
old, dancing universal charity, forgiveness OF
debts and injuries, emancipation of slaves, par
don of criminals-such have been for ages the
happy illustrations of the spirit of this sacred
season. In each generation, the old have
lamented that Christmas was not celebrated as il
used to be when they were young, and have
mOurned that the world was OutgTowiDg its
season of gayeties. But the burly, old, ruddy-
faced, white-bearded, snow wrapped, generous
hearted Christmas lives on like the earth itself,
while its children are buried one by one in it's
bosom. Christmas will outliye us all-will be
present at the wedding of the youngest and the
funeral of the hardest and when our names
are as forgotten IS those Of the children who
looked on with idle Sonder and mute sympathy
at the crucifxiOn, Christmas will still come on
his merry, punctual visit. like q rosy doctor to
his nervous patient, scattering health from bis