New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-24
CHRISTMAS.

The celebration OF the natal day OF even
the humblest human being is the dictate
| of the heart to those who love him. There
is no parent so poor in purse or spirit as
not to rejoice when a man soul is born
into the world, bringing with it an in
inity of hope and promise. When por-
ton Of this promise is realized, and the
man developes with greatness, the cele-
bration of his birthday, passes out Of
the hands of his immediate family and
becomes the care of the class or nation
whom he has benefited.
Tomorrow, Christmas day, is accord
ingly celebrated by the whole Christian
world, as the birthday Of the greatest
benefactor to the human race that has ever
lived; the Divine Man who showed forth
in His life and conversation the attributes
Of God, as man can comprehend them, and
the perfection of man as God intends him
the only man who has ever realized the
divine ideal of manhood. Wei, indeed,
might the day Of His birth be ushered in
by angelic songs, and we'll may its recur-
ring anniversary be hailed with rejoicings
by those to whom He has proved Saviour,
and by those who recognize Him as posi-
bly, such to them, though they have not
yet turned to follow Him.
The keeping of festival day in honor
of the Saviour's birth, is coeval with the
establishment of His church but at first
it was the most movable of the Christian
feast days, often being COMPOUNDED with
the Epiphany, and celebrated by the
Eastern churches as late in the year as
April or May. In the fourth century, un-
der Pope julius l., an investigation was
made by the principal theologians Of both
the East and the West, the result of which
was the establishment, by common con-
sent, Of the twenty-fifth day Of December
as that on which the nativity should be
celebrated. It has always been consid-
cred a day not only of religious COM
but also of social and do
nestle festivity and has always been so
kept throughout Christendom, excepting
in few localities where the influence of
Puritanism has temporarily prevailed.
In the days when "Merrie England"
earned that name, the festivities of this
season extended until Twelfth Day
and sometimes were prolonged even till
Candlemas (the second of February. The
uproarious mirth which frequently pre-
vailed during this season, and the riotous
games, called december liberties" in
which all distinction of classes was tenn
porarily abolished, may have had deeper
significance in their origin than was gen.
orally recognized; being emblematic of
he joyful spirit and brotherly equality
which spring from true Christianity
The exchange of gifts was also, no
loubt, originally an imitation Of the pres
snts of the wise men to the infant Sa-
'iour. This giving Of presents on such
lays is beautiful custom, and springs
rom beautiful instinct of the heart
he desire to share with others the bless
ngs We enjoy; to confer as we'll as to
eceive good gifts. Christmas gifts, how
yer, to embody the true Christian spirit,
hould not be limited to ones own family
II friends. Something should be given
o Christ himself, from whom so much
las been received. And how are We on
arth to bestow gifts on Him, sitting in
Tory at His Fathers right hand? He
imself has told Us, "Inasmuch rs We
ave done it unto one of the least of these,
~ brethren, We have done it unto Me-"
let those, then, who would celebrate
hrist's nativity in Christ's spiri. extend
heir iberality to his chosen representa-
YES, the poor. If these do not be imme-
lately in the pathway Of the benevolent,
ley may, with due diligence, be found,
nd should be, that all within the reach of
hristian sympathy may feel the happier
ecause it is Christmas, and recognize
lie true source whence their happiness
brings.
And oh, if every one in this city pro-
ssing to love Him whose birth they cele-
ate tomorrow would, for his sake, seek
1t some suffering or needy brother, and
lip, were it only by kind and cheering
ords, how greatly would the sun of human
isery in our midst be diminished, and
at Of happiness increased; how many
wv sinking under sorrow, sickness or
INT, doubling God or man, would raise
cir grateful hearts to heaven, crying out :
yfully ''Glory be to God in the highest,
d on earth peace, good will toward
en-; for this day is born to me a Saviour, {
lich is Christ the Lord
AID TO REPAIR THE LEVEES, t
Since Rel resentative Sheldon has made S