The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1875-12-25

the return OF an anniversary, solemn, yet
joyous, and more glorious than any other
marked in the annals of the world. 1t Is
the day on which, more than eighteen hum
dred and seventy five years ago,a few hum
BILE shepherds of Judea were awakened
from their slumbers by the brightest vision
that ever broke upon the rapt senses of
mortals-the day on which the "Sun of
" Righteousness arose with healing In his
"wings," to save the nations-the day on
which choir of angels tuned their golden
harps, and, in strains of heavenly melody,
proclaimed the birth of the Messiah. Why,
then, should 1t not be commemorated as a
day of joy and gladness to the sincere be-
levers in the divine mission of that benef-
cent Being, whose incarnation was thus
heralded to the world, and who, the STU
pepdous work of mans redemption
finished, upon bright cloud was borne
back to the Father, in His own glorious
kingdom ! 1t is well that it should be GEL
ebrated-that the heart should bow in adj
Grafton and praise, and the voice join in
swelling the glad anthem
Custom, moreover, has made Christmas
social, as well as religious, festival and
as such its approach Is hailed with eager
dellght-particularly by the young. But
anticipation is ever more felicitous than
reality, and the thousands of dreamers who,
last night, fell asleep amid the airy and
fantastic network which fancy wove
around them, find, this morning, when they
burst her silken meshes, that beauties were
enhanced and imperfections obscured by
the deceitful medium. Yet what does it
matter whether our happiness be caused by
sober realities, or vivid imaginings? En-
ioyment is not the less intense because it
originates in the mind-else would the hap
piness of spirits, which is derived from
nothing external, be shadowy and INSULT
cient.
But away with these abstractions-the
bells will ring merrily to-day, joyous faces
will throng the streets, merry Christmas
resound through our cheerful homes, and
the gaily decked churches re-echo to the
songs of grateful alteration. AS much en-.
| ioyment as falls to the lot of mortals may
be confidently anticipated-for those who
seek it in the purity of devotion, it will be
unalloyed by the admixture of earthly i'm
| Projections. Christmas is the carnival Of
| children-and unenviable must be his feel
ings who would curtail one of their limo
cent pleasures. The time will come, al
too soon, when the cares of life will OBJ
trude themselves upon their gayest mo-
ments, when the ''trail of the serpent" will
be discernible upon their fairest flowers.
Pity it is that our puritan forefather!
should have discontinued the ancient Gus
toms which Washington Irving has so hap
PLY described as existing in Bracebridg,
Hall. Had it not been for their overween
ing and unreasoning hatred of every rem
nant and shred of popery, as they delighted
to call it, "Dame Mince-pie" and he
compeers might still have figured in al
their primitive glory. Still might Christina
| CdTOlS nave uTUuSeu US lTUu our SlUulUcTS
and the quaint observances of ancien
times have formed connecting link be
tween past ages and the present mere mat
ter of fact generation.
But let us not complain. The ivy an
laurel of our favored land form as brigh
chaplets for the decoration of our churche
and the garnishlng of our homes, as tn
productions of any country upon earth
and the innumerable blessings that we er
joy-the glory and liberty of which thes
evergreens are a type-the varied plent
which crowns the table of even the hun
blest of our citizens, should be sources {
deep and unmingled gratitude. With tn
heartfelt hope that naught fmay mar til
festivities of the day and that youn
and old, grave and gay, may fully, hearth
and entirely enjoy it, we wish our reader
one aud all Merry Christmas.