The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-12-23
Christmas Pleasures.

There is always q good reason for that
which has obtained strong hold upor
the hearts Of the people, and probably
there is no festival-no experience in the
whole range Of human enjoyment, whic!
is participated in by SO many, which is
anticipated with such eager delig ht,
which creates such vivid transformation
in the look of the outer world, and de-
velops so many new and pretty indus
tries, as this old yet ever-new celebra-
ton.
One of thehardest things to endure in
life that has few pleasures, that is cir
cumscribed and limited by want Of OPP
portunities, and narrow means, is the
routine. Whatever occurs to break this
up, to change the current Of thought, to
stimulate activity, to give motive that
is sweet and pleasurable 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-
loved without breaking in 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 insignifcance beside the human,
the physiological, and the hygienic as
pects. Of which so few estimate the i'm
portance. We can remember the 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
trihe of our own making. The em-
blematic green also smiles down upon
us as reminder, and sacred promise;
while the hospitable preparations which
we make, even at little sacrifice, en-
large the boundary Of our daily vision,
and compel us to put new and broader
interest into our lives.
Christmas loses its character and its
significance when it is made mere ex-
cuse for display, for grand entertainments
which mean nothing, or O grudging hos
pitality which counts its cost as more
than its gain. It is, above all other fes-
tivals, the one that typifes love and care
for others, and its greatest charm is In
sincerity and spontaneity.
It is especially, too, the family festi-
val, beloved Of the children, and
"Christmas" would not be Christmas
from which they were excluded. Its
proper and joyous observance is one OF
the privileges, MOTTO 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 o bachelor
enjoys Christmas at oil, it must be IN the
house of some married man, and If he
never envied him before, he does then;
with his children about him, his board
spread with home made Christmas dain-
ties, and the light of conscious integrl-
ty, and harmony between himself and
the plan of Gods creation expressing it.
self in the serene satisfaction of his soul.
Life is difficult at best, and those who
cut themselves off from the blessing OF
home of their own, from children, from
the constant surprises and delight which
the growth, the varied circumstances,
and development of new lives, afford, are
subjects for profound pity and commits
eration-none the less so because all lg-
porant selfshness, and fear Of manly re-
sponsibility, often lies at the bottom OF
It. The way to really get all the good
and happiness out of Life is to take hold
of it "strongly," as Goethe says, and not
be afraid of its duties or its responsible
ties; be sure we shall find unexpected
times of comfort in them in the days
that are to come, when pleasure, as pleas
ure, has palled upon us, and even Christ
mas is cared for more for the delight it is
to others, than the actual enjoyment it
affords to ourselves.