The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1873-12-19

To most hearts, young and old, Christ
mas tide comes full of pleasant and ten
der memories. Like the far-famed Glas-
tonbury Thorn which sprung from the
staff which Joseph Of Aramathea plant
ed in the ground, and which barren and
unsightly through the spring shower
and summer sun, yet always miraculous
" shOtupinto marvellous bloom through
the snow and ice of Christmas, so hearts
which read nothing through the glory
of nature but painfuland sordid themes,
for that one day cast down their fardel
and rejoice. Perhaps they may not be-
lieve that a Savior eve came, they may
have no portion in his loving sacrifice
they do not believe that charity keeps a
justequilibrium between the Great Giver
and the receiver of his bOunties-in short
they may have a faint belief in a Giver
ut all, but even such as they are not out
side the pale of Christmas. Deep down
in their hearts perhaps nestle some
memory of a past Christmas, when they
loved the day for its merry making and
open handed generous gifts. When
they too joined in the lusty cry of" Praise
to God, and good will to all men," which
sounds from the uprising of the Christ
mas sun to its down setting. 1t matters
not what their miserable, barren creed
may now be, the aroma of sonnet far away
childish Christmas is still with them
Yes, it will be theirs through time, and
alas, we fear through eternity also. We
have always believed Ia fanciful belief,
that on the ledger Of our lives each
Christmas, as it comes, sums up the
YEARS reckoning. Eyes (not our own,
pass sadly down the black list Of sins
aud short cOmings, unbalanced by dutie!
faithfully performed. But our years.
life is not judged and condemned aslOnG
as the light of Christmas day is with us
Perhaps under the sacred charm we may
lessen the fearful balance against us
and SO the ledger remains open.
In the 18th and 18th centuries a strang'
legend prevailed. The vessel, called TIN
Hanap or Saint Grail from which on
Savior partook of the Last Supper, CAM
into possession of Joseph Of Aramathea
From him it was taken by anfiels ant
carried to Heaven. But at certain pc
riods, particularly Christmas, %itappeare'
to the purest Of the sons of men. Hea
Sir Percivale:
land all at once as there we sat, wesheard
4 cracking and q irving of the roofs
And rending and a blast, and overhead
Thunder, and in the thunder was @ cry .
And in the blast there smote along the Hail
4 beam of light seven times more clear than Ga
And OWL the long beam stole the Holy Grail
All ovoF@ covered with a luminous cloud"
Those who were blessed with the Wis
ion of this Grail were hencefOrwar
vowed to good works and purity of life
This was only one among the Christina
legends of the olden times. All Of thest
however. point to each Christmas as th
mile posts which either leads us to til
Better Land Or down the easy slope
Destruction. Eg@a ~ a.
30 One obligation of the day is to Civ
with open hand and heart. The youn
and innocent gfFe to the poor that the
lives May be kept pure and beautiful b
the ministering spirits that guard bel
those whose names are written anon
those who love their feilow-men. Mourl
~ersrestless with sorrow give. for the doy
of Peace always returns to nestle In til
hearts Of those TO carry tiaings oflovin
kindness to others. The very poor te
give. Not their morsels of bread an
meat, but a patient faith which submit.
meekly, looks upward hopefully an
wages we'll that fight, that extreme POI
erty often wages against the despa
which cries ont-"Curse God and die
"Te Deum Laudamus, for the Prime
of Peace is bOrn,n will sound in pray
aud Anthem in church, orhouse wherev,
tile gospel of salvation is heard. Ho
shall each man make the "Merrie Chris
mas of his Sanitation to his fellow
such a Christmas tide that its remeu
hlance will be Of sweet SAVIOR to hi
through the year,