Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1877-12-25
CHRISTMAS.

/ All civilized nations set apar the
holiday season for a time of rejoicing
and gladness. Human sympathy Is
quickened, generous impulses ex pand.
ed, and its cheerful influences enter
every breast. The commencement o.
a new year is through the portal Of
Christmas, and is the type of begin.
ming a new life. Christmasl What q
world of suggestions and tender re.
membranes it brings to us older ones
How the memory wanders back to
merry. markings and rejoicings in the
olden time, under the ancient roof-tree,
when we were boys and girls, with the
vide world before US, and but faint
realizations Of the weary work, the tolls
and troubles to be encountered in our
future wanderings from its friendly
shelter. We sigh and shake our heads
dogmatically, and openly proclaim that
there are no such anniversaries now a.
days, forgetting that We have passed
the freshness OF youths morning. and
In the light of hard experiences are apt
to think that the world has lost some of
It's most pleasant features, instead of
ascribing it to the rude dispelling of
our cherished illusions.
III II Is a season of tender regrets and
fond memories to us older ones; to the
children it is a period Of unalloyed
happiness and visions of delight
almost beyond words. In the little
ones we live our own youth over, and
participate in their pleasure for the
time with an abandonment of care
that brings a double reward. The
childish faith OF the four year-old, as
he listens TO our tales of good Santa
Claus and his beneficent care for the
children, Is but a repetition of our own
belief in the by-gone days. The
dawning of an idea in their immature
minds that, after all, Papa and Mama
are Santa is secuted by the toddling
prattlers; but, to make assurance
dou5ly sure, they plot and conspire to
keep their eyes wide open after they
have tremendously hung up their
tiny stockings and retired for the
night. The personality of the Christ
mas myth is never decided, for their
eyelids soon begin to droop and their
brave resolves melt away into the land
OF dreams. Be it Papa. or the jolly
w htbtIth VI -NOItfItTn tiiiilts. tnf
result Is the same. The first peep of
dawn finds them wide awake and
screaming with delight as they see
their glorious anticipations a reality.
and tueir cup OF pleasure is filled to
the brim and running over.
The story OF the cross appeals to all
listening hearts, and the birth of the
Christ. child is celebrated alike by Pro-
t~estant, Catholic and Greek. Nearly
nineteen centuries have passed since
the star in the east betokened the birth
of our Saviour, and proclaimed the era
of peace on earth and good will to-
ward men. Since that time the song
and the dance, the jest and the feasting,
have been %inseparable from Christmas
festivities, and with all the rioting they
have never been free from the religious
emotions due to their origin. The
tenderness of common humanity the
bond of family union and the
union with Heaven are the upper
most in significance. In accord with
the universal sentiment u hearts ex-
pand, our kindly spirits have full
play, our purses open, ana we bestow
gifts, and echo the universal saluta-
ton. "A Merry Christmas" with a
born OF the occasion. In
the words of Dickens. in his wonder
ful and immoral story, we say with
Tiny Tim, "0od bless US, every IN of