Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-12-24
A R CHRISTMAS

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To-NoRRow WILL BE CHRlsrMAsi
After a lapse of more thau eighteen
hundred years, Chriitmas, as it an
nually ome round, so far from
being worn out and laid aside as
a useless ceremonial, old fash
toned and obsolete, brings every year a
fresh impulse of Joy to all people.
Every thoughtful student of the worlds
history, whatever may be his religious
opiuions, must perceive that Christian
i;y has produced q greater impression
on the world IN its highest civilization
and most hopeful progress, than any
thug that staads Gu record. 1t 10 meet,
therefore, tha. tie birthday Of a priuei-
pie that has, to so yast an extent, Affect
ed the hearts and lives Of hundreds Of
millions, their most intricate personal
history aud their national aud indiyid-
ual characteristics, should DO commem-
GRATED, as it will be, by many millions
all around the globe. It will be a Curl
Gus aud instructive thing to notice the
different modes and customs by which
the various communities Of Cbristendom
celebrate the day, and to study tho or
igin, development and history OF each
Of the various obssfvsnees, social and
sacred, from the holly that adorns the
church to the Christmas tree that decks
the nursery, the good cheer of the
Christmas dinner, and the stocking
filed by the legendary Kriss Kriugls or
Santa Claus. To this country, fragments
Of all these various customs and
o~bssrvanees have found their way, and
while none Of them possess the binding
force aud moral Significance that ORR
ginally belonged to them 10 their res
p.ctivs countries, We may yet hope to
unite all the good, cheering and useful
o~bservauces which are betting to the
day, and mako people happy without
INDUCING in excess. We should desire
to see everything embodied in its cell
sbrstion which should msmorialize the
progress Of Christianity through past
ages and conflicts, and which should
symbolic its blessings to m%s1kind,
physical, intellectual, social and reli-
cious. The holly branch and mistlstoe,
tina, flourish at this season, may remind
some of the Druidical element, which,
in the early days of Christianity in
Britain, vas plucked as a trophy and
hung up in symbol, like a flag urenchsd
in the day Of battle from the grasp of a
foe. But while its original Significance
10 gone, it is to our eye a symbol OF that
perennial yerdure which ia exhibited
BY a system of humanity and msliora-
ton tracing its effects upon the progress
of our race and the happiness OF the
world. The delicate aud acceptable
tokens of regard aud friendship that
will pass from hand to hand, speaking
their " graceful language Of affection,
may we'll memorializs tho social bles.
,iugs that Christianity has conferred
upon our race; and the more
substantial comforts Of the Christmas
dinner may cause hearts to swell in
gratitude for tho many material blefs-
inss showersd upon Us as a people.
Christmas Day should ever DO one OF
pleasant memories. Let the children
haro their Christmas tree, with ths
gifts nesting like birds in the branches.
Let them join in singing those sweet
song, aud hymns and carols that have
reyerberatcI in louder and louder strains
since they FIRST fell on the cara OF the
Shepherds Of Bethlehem. Let the
Christmas gif,s circulate and the Christ
mas table be spread. Let families
gather round the familiar hearth, while
their hearts expand in social sympathy
and genial warmth Of lore. Heartily
DO W. join in the universal custom Of
the season, in wishing our readers
Merry Christmas. May it be to. all
/, season Of mirth, tempered with wisdom,
of good eEesr and generous hospitality,
of liberali.y to the poor and OF generous
u mpatbizipg good Uil. to all. So shall
Christmas be ever dear to US, 6llihg
, each heart with renewed happiness and
love to VII mankind, aud thankful graft,
tude to the Great All-Giver, for mercis.
rrnsasvs6 aud multioliel,