The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1870-12-25


Merry Christmas has come again, with its
hearty greetiDgs and joyful festivities. ALI
Welcome it, all celebrate it, but few reflect
ON it's meaning. When an heir is born to Q
family Of distinction, his birth is hailed as
an occasion of rejoicing and merry making.
When the first-born son of king is an |
the whole nation expresses its
and puts on the holiday |
aspect fitted for an event SO suspicious and
throughout the life of an hon
ored sovereign his people recognize the re-
turn of his birthday with general rejoicing.
Christ is the eldest son, the heir of the
throne, the living King. His advent was
the greatest blessing that had befallen the
human race since the creation, and whether
in consideration of the honors due to His
august majesty, or of che unreasonable
grace that His birth brought upon man
kind, it is fitting that the anniversary of
that great event should be made an epoch
of gladness and festivity.
1t is really surprising how universally
the custom is maintained. Nations have
fallen away from the faith, and become
hereto, individuals have grown skep-
teal or infidel, communities have lost all
marks of Christianity except the name, yet
among them all the old Catholic custom of
| making Christmas great festival maintains
| itself in full vigOr. This shows how pro-
founGly the veneration of the ages of Faith
had nude it's impress upon the popular
heart. 1t is true that in many places the
holiday character of the occasion has been
desecrated by intemperance and excess;
bat even it's abuse gives evidence of its ex-
| istence and of its antiquity. We have
| never heard of more than one race which
has to some extent forgotten this ancient
custom. The Puritans of New England
we are told, treat Christmas with open
neglect, and substitute, as the natal day o
their religion, the executive thanksgiving
with its hallowed associations of pumpkir
pie. The exception, however, but serves
to establish the rule.
Even among some very good Catholics
though, the festival is honOred more in thu
letter than the sririt of it's institution. In
stead of being a feast of brotherly love, i
becomes one of selfish indulgence. Home i
} made gay with the Christmas tree, thu
Astounding Inquiries, the hospitable wei
come, the glowing fires and the flashing
lights, but the widow and orphan arOun;
the corner are left to their poverty aud sor
rows. The heart warmth commences an
, ends at home. 1t is not enthusiastic enoug
to overflow and spread its blessings upo
neighboring misfortune.
Bat there are many with whom wishin
| ~,
is not mere formula of words, but a sen
timent of the heart, and they are deter
mined that, SO far as in them lies, it sila
be merry and happy time for all. The
:, cannot enjoy the good things which Go
= has given them if they know of misery an
destitution within their reach without a
tempting to throw a few CLEANS of lisi
= apon it's darkness. They wish all to enjo
4 the occasion because they honor the ever
e common grated, and desire that every bod
n should do the same.
Il The present Christmas does not dawn
h auspiciously as has sometimes been I'll
g case. War, with ali its woes, turns je
into weeping in two great nations. In OF
own country, commercial distress and al
/ prehension cast a shadow of adversely ov
> the whole population. Yet, even amid Il
10 clash of arms, true hearts will turn wit
9 JOY and hope to the God of peace, and I'll
J" cares of poverty will find solace at t.
IS comfortless crib where the Lord of g
wealth laid that wealth aside with contemI
q Whether we be as rich as the Kings fro
h, the East OF as poor the shepherds w
T. watched on the neighhoring hills, all G
~, ID rejoice and say, "Giory to God in t
~ highest and on earth peace to men Of go
e. we'll"
t.