The Van Buren press., 1877-12-25
CHRIST MAS

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the veil that, hanging between the pres
ent and the past, shuts us from childhood,
joys, we might, once more, retaste that
cup Of bliss that this blessed day placed
to our lips. What delicious moments
we then enjoyed, what a halo Of indie
scribable happiness welded itself to our
hearts aud even now, when age, with
its unceasing care, seems mingling bitter
with the sweet and tempting liquid OF
its pleasures, at each annual recurrence
Of this great holiday of the year, we
feel sunny glow OF the enthusiasm OF
the long
This is exclusively the holiday Of the
children, and they seem to enter hearti
ly into the joy Of the occasion. 1t is a
point in their child earthjourneyings,
around which conters and clings true ex-
stacy. To them, this blessed day is the
fairest Of all the hower-besprinkled GASES
that stud so thickly the tortuous wind
ings of their desertpaths. All the days
of the year arc overwhelmed by the
rhapsodical glory with which this beau
teous one comes loaded to their hearts
The fathers kindly words, the mothers
kiss, seem more bewitching-sweot than
on any other day in the year. The door
Of every little heart is thrown wide
open, while across its sill, the messenger
Of holy bliss steps to q monarch's scep-
tire and his throne. The ringing laugh
that sounds along the halls Of the good
old home the twinkling of the little
eyes that seem to borrow their glowing
light from earth's bedazzling luminary +;
the prattling of that little tongue that
" tells Of a happiness within that as yet
has known no SIM; such is the picture we
shall view, when, Christmas morning, we
look in upon the little ones Of our town.
As We said, above, it is tho children's
day, and with all that hearty sincerity so
sadly lacking when the years press hea-
Willy upon our human nature, they enter
into its enjoyment with cagcrness.
1t is, however, source ofgreater plea
SIRE to those of US who are able to COM
prehend the meaning of this great relig-
ious festival. The birth of the infant in
the stable at Bethlehem, his bed in the
Manager, are events with which all are
acquainted, and while it may not come to
US with all the loneliness with which il
was invested by childhood, its exquisite
solemnity to our minds will compensate
us for the lack Of its childish lustre. The
world has been wont to celebrate the
natal days { f her heroes and conquerora
with pomp and splendor. Christianity
does the same. Thousands Of years age
the Church commenced the commomora
ton of the humble nativity of her foun,
der. She dresses her temples with ever.
greens on her affairs she blends the odol
of choice flowers with tho incense of hel
prayers reaching down tho scope Of
centuries, she grasps from the angelic
hosts the "Gloria in Excelsis," and plac
ing it upon the lips Of her choirs, with
organs thunders, hurls it along her gor
geous aisles, tribute of Thanksgiving
and Of praise. TIC Deums swell out il
gorgeous tones, and Christians hearts
overflow with gratitude and love.
1t is to be regretted that u festival sc
peculiarly sacred should be the occasion
of SO much rovelry and wantonness, ant
while we hope that this year we shall
note an exception to this rule, we wish
everybody q" MERRY CHRISTMAS"