The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-12-23
VOLUME XvI.---NO. "a.
Christmas Pleasures.

l :
There is always good reason for tba.
which has obtained q strong hold upon
the hearts of the people, and probably
there is no festival-no experience in the
whole range of human enjoyment, which
ls participated in by so many, which is
anticipated with such eager delight.
which creates such vivid transformation
L the look Of the outer world, and de-
veiop5 80 many new and pretty indus
tries, as this ola yet ever-new celebra-
tion.
One Of thehardest things to endure in
LIE that has few pleasures, that is cir
cumscribed and limited by want of OPP
portunities, and harrow means, is the
routine. Whrtever occurs to break this
up, to change the current of thought; to
stimulate activity, to give motive that
is sweet ana pleasurahle to life and
work, is Of benefit to body and mind,
and when it comes to us as part of the
general order of things, and can be en-
joyed without breaking i'll upon our
lives, or interfering with the performance
OF our regular duties, we should cultivate
it religiously as an invaluable aid to
health and happiness.
The theological aspect of it sinks into
utter insignificance beside the human,
the physiological, and the hygienic as
pects, Of which so few estimate tho inn
portance. Wo can remember tho day,
and the event which gives its significance,
upon our knees; but the gift we present
may have occupied our thoughts, and
warmed our hearts. and given brightness
to life for weeks, though it were only
blematio green also smiles down upon
us as o reminder, and o sacred promise;
while the hospitable preparations which
we make, even OF little. sacrifice, en-
Ihrge the boundary OF our daily vision,
and compel uS to put new and broader
interest into our lives.
Christmas loses its character end its
significance when it is made mere ex-
cuse for display, for grand entertainments
which mean nothing, or @ grudging hos
pitality which counts its cost as mora
than its gain. It is, above all other fes-
tivals, the one that typifies love and care
for others, and its greatest charm is In
sincerity and spontaneity. sE.
It is especially, too, the family fessi-
vnl, beloved OF the children, and o
"Christmas" would not be Christmas
from which they were excluded, It's
proper and joyous observance is one OF
the privileges, Ito say possibilities, OF
the family, one that can not be enjoyed
by the bachelor, and compensates for
somewhat of that freedom" of which he
boasts, and which he would gladly barter,
as the years roll on, for chubby, hearty
boy, or sweet, rosy girl. If bachelor
enjoys. Christmas at ell, it n ust be in the
house Of some married man, and if ho
never envied him before. he does then;
with his children about linn, his board
spread with homemade Christmas dain-
ties, aud the light Of conscious integri-
ty, and harmony between himself and
the plan Of Gods creation expressing it
self in the serene satisfaction OF his soul.
Liea is difficult ut best, and those who
cut themselves off from the blessing of q
home of their own, from children, from
the constant surprises and delight which
the growth, the varied circumstances.
and development of new lives, afford, arc
subjects for profound pity and commits
eration-none the less SO because an iC-
norant selfshness, and feer of manly fe-
sponsibility, often lies at the bottom of
it. The way to really get oil the good
and happiness out of life is to take hold
OF it strongly as Goethe snyB, and not
be afraid of its duties or its responsibili-
ties; be sure we shall find unexpected
times Of comfort in them in the DAYS
that are to CONS, wher pleasure, ns pleas
ure, has palled upon us, and even Christ
mas is cared for more for the delight it is
to others, than the actual enioymel it
affords to ourselves.