The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-12-25
sATuRDAY, DEcEMBER ., lsz0.
0hrstmas.

RtftAuttAlA4t
We greet all our readers upon, the re-
eurrence Of this the most interesting period
Of the year. Hallowed as the anniversary
Of the most important event recorded in
the annals Of tIine,--the incarnation Of
Deity,--it has peculiar claim upon the
reverence and observance Of the Church,
and kindles in every devout bosom the
lofliest and sublimest sentiments Of adora-
ton aud love to the great All-Father who
manifested such unspeakable love TO man.
The human mind isinadequate to the task
Of eomprehsnding the plan Of human re-
demption as settled in the councils Of the
triune Deity. All that it can do is, to
believe and adore, and mediate upon the
ineHable love which conceived, and the
inscrutable wisdom which executed the
high behests Of Heaven for the rescue of
fallen man.
The season is hailed with joy not only
by the Church, but by society at large.
1t is time of family and social reunion,
a time Of festivity and mirth, time of
cordial and friendly greeting, and Of the
warm outgushing Of the kindlier feelings
and impulses Of our nature, which for the
time is sohcned and refined and sublima-
ted through its influence. Around this
festive season cluster the most halIowed
recollections. 1t recalls the scenes of eur
childhood, a revered father, fond and
doting mother, and the merry laughter of
brothers and sisters in the fullness Of their
innocent leTity. We are children once
more, gathered around the parental hearth
stone, reveIIing in the joys of the happy
Christmas time. We live over again in
memory the haloyon hours, aud hear the
voices Of the loved ones in the family
circle long since broken, aud our joy is
mingled with a touching and tender mel
ancholy at the thought that one by one
they have been laid beneath tho violets,
and are no more with US in the flesh, par.
Elephants in the events Of this mundane
existence.
But let us not touch with the pencil
lings Of sombre shadow the light which
casts its halo around US on this joyous Oc-
casion. Let US drink to the full the soul
inspiring draughts which wen up all around
us, and eyince our own happiness at the
recurrence Of this time-honored festival,
BY ministering as far as we can to the
pleasure and enjoyment of Others. So
shall we pass merry Christmas and pre-
pare to enter upon happy New Year.
A contemporary makes the following
sprightly allusion 10 the season and to its
patron saint
We are one of those who believe in Santa
Claus I'VE swallow him entirely-sleigh,
reindeer, fur cap and ALL Not that we ever
saw him. He has knack Of catching people
asleep, and Of sliding down chimneys so noise
lessiy that he has never been detected. But
we hang up our stockings all the same, and
would be terribly disappointed were they
empty on Christmas morning.
But after all Santa Clans differs with diff
erent people. The young lady, for instance,
does not dream Of him as the rough, good
natured fellow that he is to the children. He
IS neat and dapper, with love Of mustache,
and soft, quiet way about him. Such an
individual has no business with the half hose
OF young lady, but II he will gil il with pretty
compliments, and may be bundle Of Kisses
and love phrases, she will not objcs. This
sweet holiday time is peculiarly appropriate
for Irritation. The mistletoe sprig frequently
blooms into the orange blossom, and If we
listen keenly we may detect in the golden
flow Of the Christmas chimes the sound Of the
wedding bells that viii ring when May comes
round again with her arms full Of flowers. So
you see the Santa Claus Of the maiden is quite
dashing fellow. His sleigh is natiy and of
modern build. He drives with blue ribbons,
and Cupid sits up behind as a tiger.
There is great variety also in the toys he
brings US, for they are all toys, whatever we
choose 10 call them. To some it is money, to
others fame, to others happiness-a handful
ofbon-bons for which we scramble, as do the
lazzaroni for the coin scattered in the mud
10 some, alas be brings nothing but misery
and despair. The joyous sunshine Of the
Christmas tide is backed by deep shadows.
The prostration 10 business, under which we
have suffered lately, will do much to blot out
the joy that should come in with Christmas
eve Many family that last year were happy
will spend cherries holiday this. 1t is sad
70 think Of such things ut such time, but
they are thoughts that will not down.
Let rs trust, however, that Santa Claus win
be Us liberal as possible, and hoping SO, let
Us hang up our stockings in good faith. No,
let us hang them up in the chimney corner,
10 that there be no mistake made.