The Portland daily press., 1873-12-25
Christmas

More and more as the years 90 by Is the
Christmas season Observed Ill New England.
The stern disfavor which the Purtans visited
upon feasts and festivals, upon observance OF
days and in general.upon any ueirymaking is
gradually yielding in lapse OF time to a spirit
o jollity and desire f. holidays. The sub
iu alton of the natural Instructions which
ou- fathers enco" nteIed, and the cessation CT
tn ph. steal dangers which constantly men,
aced them, leave our minds free for light So
cial diversion, which their theology and their
situation combined to render distasteful ana
even abhorrent to them. Our greater prs
perity, too, in material things and the conse.
quent increased comfort and luxury in the
way Of living tend in the same dire cton, SO
that We have come to celebrate Christmas
with almost as much OF JUNCTION and parade
as our English ancest ,rs.
With Christmas sort of era of good feeling
annually recurs. 1t is the season when proofs
OF continued affection and kinlliness are
tangby afforded. For weeks, and even months
before the notable "night before Christmas"
preparations are on foot to sgnalize it. The
husband detects mysterious movements On
the part of the Wife-the sudden putting
aside of work on his unexpected appro ach,
and the preternaturally guileless expression
of countenance which accompanies the inno-
cent little deception; parents observe like
mystic industry en- the part Of children, and
brothers perceive it in sisters; but no one
purports TO see anything out of the ordinary
course, whatever thoughts ofthe approaching
holiday may be lurking in the mind. The
children too-deep little Uncomfortable
expressing profound faith in the entity of
Santa Claus, confide gravely to their parents
their views as to what it would be desirable
for that jolly Saint to bring them; they seem
to feel it duty to humor the parental theory
that they-the little folk-believe implicitly
in this supernatural gift bearer.
Christmas is distinctively the festival Of
the children, as Thanksgiving is of the fam
lily. Everybody is full of plans for making
little hearts glad. The boo, and toy makers
exhaust the resources of their art in furnish
ing diverse and beautiful things, and the
shops are thronged for DAYS before the event
full night with parents and friends intent up
on promoting the happiness of their darlings.
1t has been exceedingly interesting to go
about from place to place, witnessing the
elaborate provision made for the wants of the
season and the eager throngs of purchasers
absorbed in pursuit of the best, prettest and
most acceptable gifts for those whom they
hold dear.
Tho ;nII fx,o ~I ,irth IF ba rscf,
son are soitened and made lovely by the
Astounding influence of the spirit of Him
whose natal day is celebrated, whose life and
teachings make men better and more unset
fish, and foster all kindness of word and act.
1t is the time for putting aside all harshness
of feeling ana giving harbor only to pleasant
and loving thoughts. The study of the hap
pness Of others and the quest of fitting to-
kens of good will and affection, warm the
hearts of all, and the spirit of love abroad in
the air is contagious. A sombre face or
rude word or act on Christmas is so wretch
eddy incongruous that the most hardened are
shamed into something of conformity will
the season. The conversion of Scrooge from
his bad ways is constantly repeated in many
forms. We cannot fully appreciate all the
good influence of the author of the ''Christ-
mas CaroP in making Christmas beautiful
and refining. In the festivities to-day many
an eye will grow moist in loving memory OF
Charles Dickens, who will give us no more
Christmas carols.
II is most cheering to observe, too, as an
evidence of the more perfect dissemination o:
and conformity to the spirit Of the founder Of
our faith, that the poor are not forgotten in
this general awakening of our best feelings.
Everywhere are evidences of generous re
menbrance of the misfortunes of others and
almos. everybody enjoys to-day the conscious
ness of having Brought gladness to some bo-
som where it is an unwonted guest and OF
having done something to soften the asperitie-
of life in some home of poverty and wretch
elness.
Let US mike the most of the great festival.
Let cares and perpexties be banished to-day
and let US all combine to make for our friends
and thus ensure for ourselves a merry Christ
masl
"God bless us all, every one."