The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-12-27
CHRISrMas

The holiday of christendom has come
again. and words Of rejoicing go circling
around the world. Why all this? Because
eighteen hundred and seventy-six years ago
Christ was born in Bethlehem of Judea.
"And she brought forth her first born son
and wrapped him In swaddling clothes and
laid him In a manger: because there was no
room Tor them in the ION.
"And there were in the same country shep-
herds abiding I'm the field keeping watch over
the flock by night.
'.And 10, the angel OF the Lord came upon
them and the glory OF the Lord shone round
about them; anu they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, fear not: for
behold, bring you good tidings Of great JOY,
which shall be to all people.
For unto You is born this day In the city Of
David Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall DO sign unto you. Ye shall
find the babe wrapped Ia swaddltng clothes
"And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude Of the heavenly host praising God
'.Gioiy 70 God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will to man."
Such is the record. Now the bells are
ringing out their merriest tunes. Old anc
young catch the inspiration of the day, and
From Grsenland's icy mountains
To midas coral strands
there are rejOicings. 1t is day OF
reunions, of good cheer. In millions
of happy homes parents and children
aud friends will gather around the
family board. Recollections of former re-
unions will come trooPng up from the past.
There will be vacant chairs reminding the
living of mothers. fathers, brothers and sis
tiers, gone; there will be moments of silence
and sadness, while quickened heart-beats and
fearful eyes respond TO the panorama of
Christmas scenes in the past that memory
will paint But the dead past, fortunately,
must give place to the living present, and
the JOY OF to-day should drown the sadness
of yesterday. The future is the realm where
hopes reach out for blissful realizations
Only the present is ours To Inake the most
Of it for happiness and rational enjoy
ment is reasonable duty. Peace
and good will should hold su-
preme sway to-day. Christmas is
pre-eminently day for benevolence.
Christmas gifts" have wonderful signifi-
canoe, and when bestowed where want and
poverty have taken up their abode, they
have a sacredness that links them to the
good deeds that Christ himself performed
while on earth.
II the joyousness of this day does not
awaken in the hearts of those VINO have an
abundance of this worlds goods a desire to
send a sunbeam of gladness to the homes of
the poor. then the cay will be robbed of it's
glory and Christmas will sink to the level
of gluttOnly indulgence and selfshness
which alike dishonor God and man. There
are opportunities in indianapolis for doing
good by feeding the hungry and clothing
the naked. by visiting the dck and
and by sending light into many darkened
home. Anxious mothers. pinched and
shivering children-these are in this great
city. Who will keep step to-day to the
music of the chimes in finding the places
where these objects of charity linger and
suffer? There can be no dispute about the
duty, and if those who. by the blessing of
God, have the means shall bestow their
gifts To warm the freezing, to feed the
hungry, 10 clothe the half-clad poor, their
reward will be richer than miser ever
dreamed; and with the hope that the day
will be distinguished for deeds of love, that
the rich may be generous and the poor
thankful, and that all may have their full
measure of enjoyment, we greet our readers
and friends and patrons-all-with the wish
that this may be merry Christmas.