Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-12-25
Chr,.lmns Plen.ure..

Christmas Pleasures
There is always a good reason for
that which has obtained a strong
hold upon the hearts of the people,
and probably there is no festival no
experience in the whole range of
human enjoyment, which is partic-
ipated in by SO many, which is an
ficipated with such eager delight,
which creates such vivid transfer
nation in the look of the outer
world, and develops so many new
and pretty industries, as this old
vet ever-new celebration.
One of the hardest things to en-
dure in life that has few pleasures,
that is circumscribed and limited
by want of opportunities, and mar
row means, is the routine. What
ever occurs to break this up, to
change the current of thought, to
stimulate activity, to give a motive
that is sweet and pleasurable to life
and work, is of benefit 10 body and
mind. and when il comes to us as
part Of the general order of things,
and can be enjoyed without break
ing In upon our lives, or interfering
with the performance of regular de-
ties, we should cultivate IL resig-
iously as an invaluable aid to healta
and happiness.
The theological aspect oft sinks
into utter insignificance beside the
human, the physiological, and the
HYGIENE aspects, of Which so few
estimate the importance. We 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 trifle of our own max
ing. The emblematic green also
smiles down upon us as reminder,
and a sacred promise while the
hOspitable preparations which we
make, even at a little sacrifice, en-
large the boundary of our daily Wis
ion and compel US to put new and
broader interest into our lives.
Christ mas loses its character and
its significance when it is made a.
mere excuse for display, for grand
entertainments which mean moth
ing, or a grudging hospitality which
counts its cost as more than its gain.
1t is, above all other festivals, the
one that typifies love and care for
others, and its greatest charm is in
sincerity and spontaneity.
1t is especially, too the family fes-
tival, beloved of the children, and a
"ChristmasD would not be Christ
mas from which they were excluded.
Its proper and joyous Observance is
one of the privileges, not to say
possibilities, of the family, one that
can not be enjoyed by thesDachelOr,
compensates for somewhat of that
freedom" of which he boasts, and
which he would gladly barter, as
the years roll on, for a chubby,
hearty boy, or sweet rosy girl. If
bachelor enjoys Christmas at all, it
must be in the house of some mar
ried man, and if he never enVied
him before, he does then with his
children about him, his board spread
with homemade Christmas dain-
ties, and the light of a conscious in
tegrity, and harmony between him.
self and the plan of Gods creation
expressing itself in the serene salts
faction of his soul.
Life is difficult at best and those
WIN cut l4iClllSC1NCC O11 AAtO
blessings of a home of their own,
from children, from the constant
surprises and delight which the
growth, the varied circumstances,
ana development of new lives, afford
are subjects of profound pity and
mmiseiation-none the less so be-
cause an ignorant selfishness, and
fear of manly responsibility, often
lies 1T the bottom of it. The way
TO really get all the good and happi-
ness out of life is to take hold of it
strongly, as Goethe says, and not be
afraid of its duties or its response
bilities, be sure we shall find unex-
pected times of comfort in them in
the days that are to come, when
pleasure, as pleasure, has palled up
on us, and even Christmas is cared
far more for the delight it is to 9TH
ers, than the actual enjoyment it
affords to ourselves.