The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-12-23
ohristmas and its observanee.

uSJhef tne Z0Jl, lee. mslEh'
the time of our Saviour's nativity il
seriously questioned by many vel
, informed persons; yet christians
generally, SO accept and celebrate
the day. And this is well enough
since it is the adyent, and not tn,
precise time of the advent, tha
most concerns mankind. peace
on earth and good viii to men, be
ing the angelic announeemet, at His
birth, and "glad tidings" the import
of His coming, it would seem to be
a fit occasion to the sons of men
for rejoicing. But what sort OF
joy should the remembrance OF
Christ's coming produce in the
| breasts of christian people, and
how should it be expressed? Says
one, neither the supposed nor real
day of Christ's birth should be
made an occasion of rejoicing. ut
is a species Of idolatry, and tends
to that end" Certainly not either
of these, but rather the diametrical
opposite of both. Not either Of these
surely, if Christ be come, and if he
be truley divine. To say that the
celebration Of the advent of Christ
with becoming ceremonies, sarvors
OF idolatry, is to put in doubt his di
yinity, nothing more and nothing
less. As well say that the obser-
vance of the holy eucharist is idola
trous in tendency, because, forsoOth,
some christians (and doubtless
many sincere, good christians pro-
fess to recognize in the emblems of
the last supper, the real presence of
the blood and body of the Redeemer.
If some, or even many, well-mean
ing persons have abused this sacred
rite, shall others on this account,
abstain from its commanded Oh
servance? If it be wrong to rejoice
over the advent, it is equally SO to
sorrow with the son of man in his
passion. Again, if it is right to
commemorate the sufferings of the
cross, it is for like reason, proper
to be of good cheer over the incar-
nation. If it is right to do this in
remembrance of Him, it is meet
to hail with glad acclaim ''the dawn
ing of the sun of righteousness"
upon a benighted world. We read !
that on the happening of this stu
pendous event The morning stars
sang together and the sons of God |
shouted for JOY" Then it is right |
to give expression to holy joy in
remembrance of an event which
signalized the possible salvation of
the world. The only question is
how shall the event be celebrated /
In the case of protesting christians
and maturer persons, it should lead
to the religious contemplation of
the great redemptive scheme, and
should inspire spiritual worship
and ''thanks unto God for His un-
speakable gift In the case of those
who, by reason Of tender years,
can not rise to an apprehension of
the great event, it should neverthe-
less be made a season of innocent
gladness. Since these children of
promise cannot adequately partake
of our JOY in this, the grandest Of
all events, we may pardon the semi
which gladdens their
little hearts on Christmas-eve, by |
VISIONS of .'old Chris. and the
"stuffed stockings" The transition
is easy from the imaginary good man
that comes down the chimney all
muffled with furs, powdered with
snow, and pendent with tinkling
bells, to bring his Christmas pres
ents-the transition is easy, we
say, to that Divine one who came to
Earth to fill all hearts with gladness.
But contrary to either Of these
modes ofobserving Christmas, some
persons from ignorance or irrever-
ence, make it the occasion of impi-
Gus diversion and indecent carous-
al. This ought not so to be. 1t is
a species of sacrilege. But yet it
should be a season of rejoicing,
time of gladness of heart, seeing
that ''unto us child is born, unto US
a son is given" and "glad tidings Of
good things which shall be to all
people"