Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-12-24
Christmas McslitatIOns.
l,Y RON

just at this season of the year, moro perhaps
than at any other, the air is filled with pleasant
memories, and thoughts 90 back to the time
when shepherds watched their Aocks by night
Oh Tho fair Judeau bills.
Though nineteen hundred years have rolled
away since tho Star Of Bethlehem glittered in
tho eastern sky, yet the toucSiDg Lessons of
love and charity then taught to man are as
fresh 10 day ss when He trod The earth in hu-
man form, and will ever remain with US to
bless and sancliiy our common brotherhood; and
never more than now should thess tender
teachings reach tho heart. Through tic clcar,
cIlSp, Viotry air tho i)y0us sounds of a
Merry Christmas breaks upon the car, sod
in cur obufcnts tho holly branch, with its
green aud glossy leaves is twi5cl by loving
hands TO deck His altar
ArouEd happy f1esdes bright faces gather
IN anticipation OF expectaut Joys, and the Silly
night is thick with dreams of goblin visit
Whcn good old Saata Claus shall sPcep down
the chimney, bearlug through fire and hamo
his precious load of fairy treasures. That, TO-
deed, was chi!dhood's happ? hour. Yet there
sra some homes in days guoe by ho aiSsys Wis
ilcd Which this year he may pass unuotiosu.
There are some-uat macy tortuuateIy-iu our
midst where want stands like erim sentinel at
the poor msn's door, where. 10 al! probability,
tV?D ;he Deoessarlgs Of If. ore sbsen!. Within
these sad homes bright eyed children cluster,
sometimes to watch the dyiag embers burn
away when ntrlly keeps thon1 :foln tho 2irch.
lGg cid, aba as thay watch tho fantastic
shcdows on tho wall !ail asleep aud dream of
tho happy days Dcw gcue when plenty smiled
upon their pathway.
Of course there must always be want acd
misery 10 ihs world for it is the sad chapter Of
life, but muoh can BIZ done to alleviate the wants
OF cur common humanity. Much bas already
been done 10 our city lately by the blessed hacd
OF charity. Much is being done now, but more
car be accomplished by those who have been
made his stewards and Servants on esrth, and
especially the one s who have been the recipients
Ct bounteous fsvors at kind fortunes haud. L.
ia we'll fer all such 10 mako lhsir homes moro
bright with precious gifts at this festive season,
1t is we'll as they push through the we'll filled
and crowded stores to think Of those at home,
whose eyes grow brighter ut their ccming aud
they can feel the, thrill of pleasure it gives as
they realize tho fact that it is more blsssed to
give than to receive" yes, to those who can i.
is their duty to surround their homes With all
the comforts and luxury that wealth can bring,
but nt the same time let them listen with bs
coming patience to tho tender teachings that
sweep dcwo through the cco;uties past, to re-
member these who by sad alyersity aud mis-
fortune arc not go we'll provided for. Esch can
help his brother, each can scatter around him
same !lstle btuoiy which ko bread cast upon
tho waters will r.urn to him after many days.
How njaDy changes have takeo place Withio
the past short year inst drawing TO olose-how
many households his Christmas when they
meet around Tie icsi7o bosrd will miss
some dear, familiar face, AID az they gaze upon
| their Vsesot place how gloomy will the remind
cr be. Petha! it m.y be psrsut, sister, bro
thor, or come sGcerh old friend who may DO
DOW in flr eff lald, Or better still, in home
beyond the s!era, where i: is ope cterral day CT
| i3y. There arc same, Too. who 10 days pss:,
have trod the path to fame aud glory, been
| tish in power end place, aod wbo, DOW, By the
stern decree Of fate, hDd themselves once moro
| battling With tha wlr'd. Some who, by their
| bcs. eudearols, schamiog and well laid plans,
have tried once more 10 remount the ladder OF
, success, but often all proves vaio and futile;
| they ore frowDed down, pushed 10 tho wall,
! tho busy world goes oD, aud th,y are soon for
gotten.
Now lot us all. 10 this ho'y anniversary, ioI-
got the cares and troubles that ilfest our lives,
| aud for ct leas. cna day 10 the yehr brace up
| and look at the btiaht side Ct life, sud when
the sky is tinted With tho Christmas dawn there
mey be heard on the still morning broeze the
same glad tidings that w,re proclaimed TO tho
| world over eighteen hundred years ago Of
"Glory to God in tho highest, and On Garth
peace, good will toward mao."