Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-01-03
For the CHRoNICLE.l
EfHhrisfmaS rs

'OlElstmAS "
first heard, in the wind and the soft
falling OF snow, then in the cracking of
ice across the ponds and a shiyer among
the pines surrounding them. Next the
river took it up and the waters cried
aloud for a moment and then settled
down into a glsring sheet of brightness
that was like glass. Then again the
sharp sound Of running steel rang out
aboYe the laugh of rosy boys, the soft
Gnow came falling, the meadows turned
to whiteness, the trees arrayed them
selves in vestsl robes, the earth was
pUrer, better, brighter, the sky was
nearer, the loves of men for men grew
stronger, the petty cares Of life sank
down and were silent, earth was yet "of
the earth earthly" but the NOW like a
mantle OF charity made all things pure.
Then it was that 1 heard the voices.
Not like organ notes or wild alarms of
war, not harsh like fierce winds or dis
cordant like sounds Of strife-but low
and sweet, tender and full Of music as
became the love expressed-forever say
ing On earth peace; good will to men,"
Yes, L heard the Christmas then-heard
it coming down the white vale of winter
with peace offerings and love offerings
filling its arms, with sprigs of green and
scarlet berries, with good gifts and many
blessings, to scatter into the hearts and
homes OF men and children, who grew
far happier and better as they fell. Yes,
it was Christmas, the glad time of
Christ's coming, the glad time that has
made the years far brighter with its
presence, that has lifted the world up
from its greed of selfshness for at least
one day in every year, that has kept US
near to the manger with its Holy Child
lying upon the golden straw and be-
meath the sweet breath of patient kline.
Yes, Christmas beloved by all who have
opened their hearts to the influences of
love it brings, who remember when
they too were children and therefore
pure, who look onward to a time when
seven as a little child shall they become
before the gates of death shall usher
them into the beautiful land.
So I stood and listened as the glad
voices arose singing from tree and bush,
from gray sky and white earth, from
frozen rivers and ice bound ponds, from
hearts Of nen and women, from laughs
of children as they played and all were
only s different parts of one grand
choir forever singing Good will, good
will to men,"
And I saw that the world grew better
as the day dawned, that passion eurbed
itself and greed was silent, that hate
went down and eyes unused TO weeping
filled with precious drops of sympathy,
that were spoke in kinder voices, that
old wounds were healed, that sorrow
hushed its cries and charity like al
angel went down into dark places and
made the darkness light, and faces long,
pale, and white grew ruddy q the light
of Christ's day touched them; voices
long subdued to quietness grew loud
with CHEEKY laughter as the merry bells
filled the frosty air with sweetness, eyes
long bent down to look on earth raised
themselves toward the sky in thankful
ness, voices unused to singing went out
the air in tones of praise, children
learned new lessons of love and faith
and tender charity-growing nearer in
thought and deed TO the child whose
birth made the world blessed. So the
world was happier and therefore purer,
and the day was indeed the day Of
Christ, for His blessing lay upon it and
filed it; His love encircled 1t; His
memory was in the green and His
in the scarlet berries. Tender
a mother, He had that day taken the
whole world in His arms and blessed ii,
placed a kiss upon its forehead and a
Denediction upon its life, made glad its
;orrows, forgave its sins, sang unto it a
new song, and filed 1t with a higher,
grsnder purpose for the days to
.ome. H. X.
Dec. 26, 1871.