The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-12-25
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Christmas.

,Cnristmas season observed in New England.
The stern disfavor which the Puritans Wis
tied upon feasts and festivals, upon observ-.
anee of days and, in general, upon any mer-
ry-making, is gradually yielding in lapse Of
time to more genial spirit. The subjuga-
ton of the natural distractions which our
fathers encountered and the cessation of
the physical dangers which constantly
nenaced them leave our minds free for
light social diversion, which their theology
and their situation combined to render dis
tasteful and even abhorrent to them. Our
greater prosperity, too, in material things
and the consequent increased comfort and
luxury in the way of living tend in the same
direction, so that we have come to celebrate
Christmas with almost as much of polnp
and merriment as did our English ancestors.
With Christmas sort of era of good feel
ing annually recurs. 1t is the season when
tangible proofs of continued affection and
kindliness are afforded. For weeks and
even months before the notable might be-
fore Christmas 2 preparations are on foo
to signalize it. The husband detects mys-
terious movements on the part Of the
wife-the sudden putting aside of work
on his unexpected approach, and the
preternaturally guileless expression of
countenance which accompanies the in
nocent little deception; parents observe
alike mystic industry on the part of chill
dren, and brothers perceive it IN sisters;
but no one purports to see anything out Of
the ordinary course, whatever thoughts of
! the approaching holiday may be lurking in
the mind. The children too--deep little in
nocents-while expressing profound faith
in the entity of Santa Claus, confide grayely
to their parents Their views as to what it,
would be desirable for that jolly saint to
bring them; they seem to feel it duty to
honor the parental theory that they--the lit
tie folk-believe implicitly lin the super
Natural gift bearer. ~ asaaa "a lielIss 3 4, .
Christmasis distinctively the festiyal.o of the
children, as Thanksgiving is of the family.
Everybody is full of plans for making little
hearts glad. The book and toy makers ex-
haust the resources of their art in furnish
ing diverse and beautiful things, and the
shops are thronged for days before the
eventful night with parents and friends in
tent upon promoting the happiness of their,
darlings. 1t is exceedingly interesting to 60
about from place to place, witnessing the
elaborate provision made for the wants of
the season and the eager throngs of pnrchas-
ers absorbed in pursuit of the best, prettiest
and most acceptable gifts for those whom
they hold dear. .6|st M
r. The jollIty and mirth of the Christmas
season are softened and made lovely by the
abounding influence of the spirit Of Him
whose natal day is celebrated, whose life
and teachings make men better and
more unselfish, and foster all kindli-
ness of word and act. It is the time
for putting aside all harshness Of feel
ing and for giving harbor only to pleasant
and loving thoughts. The udy of the hap
piness of Others and the quest of fitting
tokens of good will and affection warm the
hearts of all, and the spirit of love abroad in
the air is contagious. A sombre face or a
rude word or act on Christmas is so wretch
edly incongruous that the most hardened
are shamed into something of conformity
with the season. The conversion Of Scrooge
from his bad ways is constantly repeated in
many forms. We cannot sufficiently appre-
ciate all the good influence Of the author Of
the christmas Carol' in making Christ
mas beautiful and refining. In the festivi-
ties of to-day many an eye will grow moist
in loving memory of Charles Dickens who
will give us no more Christmas carols. r5gsIs.
+ 1t is most cheering to observe, too, as an
evidence of the more perfect dissemination
OF and conformity to the spirit of the found
er of our faith, that the poor are not for
gotten in this general awakening of our best
feelings. Everywhere are evidences of gen.
erous remembrance Of the misfortunes of
others, and almost everybody enjoys to-day
the consciousness of having brought glad
ness to some bosom where it is an unwonted
guest and of having done something to
soften the asperities of life in some home of
poverty and wretchedness. -il4 ~ sas
Let us make the most of the great festival.
Let cares and perplexities be banished to-
day and let us all combine to make for our
friends and thus ensure for ourselves
merry Christmas. 81. ~ s-' Il"
S "God bless us all, every onen' la.
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