Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1881-12-31
Christmas.

With the good wishes Of this joyful
season, we offer our friends feast for
Christmas, which though rich will net
be found indigestible.
We have endeavored to bring all the
clements together for Christmas ban
uuet-the oysters, the delicate soup, the
fish, the joints, the poultry, the entrees,
the vegetables, the relishes, the bread,
the fruits, and the plum-pudding. Or
perhaps our Christmas number may be
better likened to the pudding itself,
which we hope Will be found well made
and full of plums.
We cannot control events, but unless
sadness, of q more than common sort,
iItrudes into the household, Christmas
should be made memorable, by oil the
associations which tend to give color
and brightness to the most beautiful
festival Of the year.
"Keep its memory green" with holly,
with the Christmas tree, with the dalntles
which fitly crown the Christmas board !
Buy toys for the little ones, and gifts
for everybody.
II the value is not great, and your
good intention unrecognized, that is no
concern of yours; you will have done
YOUR work all the same, end 1t will not
be lost some time it will be appreciated
and crowned by blessing, whether you
know it or not.
Loving-kindness, thankfulness, are the
best gifts after all, end rich gifts be-
come poor, unless accompanied by these
evidences of sincerity and true fellow
ship. There are gifts which sting like
the bite Of IN alder, because the giver
is not equal to the gift, and generosity
becomes too much for him or her, as the
case ay be. Slch gifts are not worth
haginv. They cost too much in the
pain and humiliation of obligation.
Such persons are out OF harmony with
the d iue spirit of love, which is the
foundation aud inspiration OF the merry
Christmas time, and furnishes the per-
petual fountain from which its peren-
nial freshness flows.
Life is very short, and to most OF us
very circumscribed, and the Christmas
holiday gives us year by year the most
universal awakening from its monotony,
both in the actual experience and the
retrospect. Doubtless it loses some
of its charms at the period OF middle
age, when we are usually beset by cares
and anxieties, and when Christmas
brings to us, instead of simple Joy,
pecuniary responsibilities and addition
a, burdens upon time and strength.
Still, Judgment and foresight provide
for the first, and the last are laborsS OF
love which actually Tighten others, in
stead Of being felt as additional
troubles.
For the children's sake, for the
homes sake, for the sake Of the cheer
ing influence in your neighborhood, let
the yuie fires burn, and the guests be
bidden. LIT the kitchen be alive with
the preparations for the days or weeks
beforehand, for the very odor Of spice
and lemons, and the plum cake and
mince pie are part Of the general
atmosphere of rejoicing and good cheer.
of VIII ;ch as few as possible should be
defrauded.
A cold, unloving hearth and home at
Christmas is sad state of affairs, and
let us be careful that we are not
responsible for it. Some very good
people are so irritable over any inter
ruption upon the ordinary routine OF
life, that, without any intention, Ind
while furnishing the means, or doing
their best to put them to use, they en-
bitter all the sweetness with ill-temper
and fault-fnding. Oh! friends, what
ever OF life is reserved for us, let us
render it as wholesome and healthful,
al honest and true, as kindly and
gentle as life should be, not only at
Christmas, but throughout the year.