The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1877-12-22
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

come and gone. Ihere are with Olu
and young many delights in anticipating
that memorable anniversary. These
more particularly-appertain to the
young or rising generation. Fancy,
brilliant with bright hopes, paints to
them visions of JOY and gladness which
make the youthful heart pulsate lightly
as the Christmas sunset deepens into
darkening shades and its advanced eve
finds those fancies giving place to
dreamy slumbers. Morn advances with
its auroral light and their eyes open to
the realization of what had been so fond
ly wished. Stockings hung up SO con-
fdingly and undoubtingly at the bed
post, are seen filled with sweetmeats and
all sorts of presents graciously bestowed
by good, kind-hearted old St. Nicholas
or Santa Claus after making his night
visit down the chimney. These being
seen, truly may it be said-joy cometh
--;th the morn. No language can be
sufficiently extravagant or earnest
~. q - gratitude to the giver. In a
s0~ santa Claus is the very best and
.lndest old elf in all the world. His
praises are sung in juvenile peans with
out even the remotest doubt of his be-
ing an absolute reality. 1t is well there
fore to keep alive those early impress
sions and innocent Authorizations
They grow greener and fresher as years
advance, affording pleasurable reminis-
cences when youth gives place to man
hood and it, too, ripens into life'S In
dian Summer or verges even upon win
try age Who is it that does not call
up halcyon memories of Christmas as it
passed so delightfully."- in days of juvenil-
ity? To think of it almost makes the
old heart perennial and the weather.
beaten traveller on life's downward slope
young again in thought and deed. If
there were no other good springing
from the observance of such an ami
versary, its coming is valuable as green
spot in memory to revive pristine plea
sures incident to the recollection of un-
alloyed youthful happiness far back in
the dim past
There is also in the commemoration
OF such an event sacred influence
which has impressed itself upon the hu-
man mind and heart ever since with
most salutary effect. We are told by
inspiration that "when Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of
Herod the king, behold there came
wise men from the East to Jerusalem,
saying, where is He that is born King
of the Jews? for we have seen his star
in the East and we are come 10 worship
Him." that ''when they saw the star
they rejoiced with exceeding great joy"
"when they were come into the house
they saw the young child with Mary his
mother and fell down and worshipped
Him; and when they opened their trea-
sures they presented unto Him gifts:
gold and frankincense and myrrh. -
There is something SO touching, SO gen.
tie, SO pure, SO beautiful in this simple
and graphic account of the birth of
Jesus that none can read it without feel
ing anxious to rejoice in the knowledge
of Saviour having been born into the
world. 1t is not surprising, therefore,
that all over the civilized earth, where
Christianity prevails, the anniversary of
so glorious an event brings with it a
jubilee of rejoicing. Art and science,
refinement, purer, more elevated morals
have been advancing ever since toward
greater perfection. 1t was, indeed, the
eginning of an era destined to spread
sublime and grand achievements, as
waters cover the sea, until, in the
ness of time, or when time shall be
L. more, a ransomed world may realize
its complete consummation. Well may
those of our present day and generation,
young, middle aged, old, and of all ma
tons, kindred and tongue where Chris
.ianity has made its impress, give thanks
and be jubilant without measure in the
privilege of merrily celebrating the
Christmas anniversary. Of all others it
seems most fitting for joy and gladness.
Though the thought begets deep rev.
erence, commanding profound graft
'sde, yet we are prone to discrete mer-
Iinent and joyous greetings. 1t fills
every heart, rightfully attuned, with
love and veneration, bringing Herewith
a full exercise of observation-disclosures
he almost universal custom of wishing
o each other, at the ushering in of such
a period, ga merry Christmas. We
do not wonder at persons wishing for it,
md hope most sincerely all may realize
he pleasure on the approaching ami
versary-Tuesday next-of enjoying
umptuous Christmas dinners or feStivi-
les. We would gladly hear of our
special friends and many readers of the
Union participating freely in such luxu-
int privileges. Not being selfish, we
dso extend this wish to the whole pop
lace of the civilized globe, hoping
o-:-J 49,, conoa x,han oil nations in