St. Landry democrat., 1879-12-20
Christmas is Coming.

Christmas is coming! The advent of
this holiday time does. not bring back
7the old time festivities, and rejoicing,
but it is gladstone season for all that.
The season when the angels song of
"peace on earth and good will to man -
echoed over the earth is surely an ex-
ceptional time, and should be fitly
greeted.
Let each man ask himself, what "good
Wlll' means, and whether out of his
much or little he cannot spare something
for the poor if he knows of any. Those
are the special obligations that this
memorial season brings with it. He
who was born of the poorest, left them
to us as special legacy" In as much
as ye did it unto them so have ye done
it unto me-"
TO those whose measure Of prosperity
is filled and running over, we say,
"Givei" The ancients when peculiarly
prosperous made a sacrifice to Destiny
Of some rich treasure to propitiate for
tune, and keep her gifts among them.
Charity keeps ajust equilibrium between
the great Giyer, and the receiver of His
bounty. The unjust steward who holds
the Masters talent without paying the
divine interest must some day meet the
outer darkness, where restriction comes
too late.
To those who hold Oh usuriously to
their possessions we say "Give." Did
they never hear the legend of the staff
of Joseph of Arimathea, which planted
in the ground, sprung up into the world
renowned Glastonbury Thorn. All the
year, the tree was barren, and dry, but
on Christmas Eve, the sap rose in the
branches, the buds swelled, and clusters
Of pure white flowers covered the
boughs as with a snowy mantle. The
marvellous blossoms withered with the
vesper bell that told the Christmas sun
had set.
SO it is said that one day the senseless
wood miraculously rendered its homage
to the law of Christmas Charity, and
was rich in fragrant gifts for high and
low.
To the votary Of pleasure We say
q" Give.n A little taken from selfish
qualification will make some heart happy
10y q gift better beftting the season,
than all those sensuous enjoyment, that
cannot say to the tleeting moments
c Stay, for thou art so fair.''
1t is worth trying the sensation of MAX
ing others happy. 1t is worth remem-
7bering that ihe blessing of those whose
needs have been relieved, is potent to
fill the mind with pleasant memories.
Let the young and INNOCENT remember
the poor in their gifts, that their own
lives may be kept pure, There are minis
tering spirits who guard best those
whose names are written in the Book
of Life as "those who love their fellow
men.H Let mourners restless with sor-
row give, for the dove Of Peace always
returns to nestle in hearts that carry
tidings of loving kindness to others.
LsCh CiC pooiG Va tiC poui uIfc
something to give. Not morsels of food,
1ut patient faith that submits meekly,
looks upward hopefully, and remembers
that He of Bethlehem knows and has
felt every step Of the uia 1o!oroeg which
they tread so painfully. But the noblest
gift of all, and the one best BETTING the
season, is to put aside hatred, malice,
and all uncharitableness, and meet even
your enemy with the cordial Christmas
greeting Of hand and heart. That is
the crowning glory Of the holy season.
Christmas rain, or Christmas sunshine
will fall alike upon the graves of those
who gave or those who withheld. But
is there no difference in the memory
they have left behind them? No differ,
ence between the humanity which
blessed, which forgaye as it hopes to be
forgiven, and the avarice, and hatred
which curses and is cnrseda Those vices
which carry beyond the grave q vision
so blurred by evil passions that through
all the Eternities they will never see the
face Of the God Of Love, who was born
this memorial season? ---s-
We wish our friends and readers a
merry Christmas and man y of them.