Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-22
CHRISTMAS DAY.

10 Cn6 reduerS Ol CLe ENQU UlREft, Ollc anu
all, we wish Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year, and that each annual recurrence
of this festal season may find them mer1ier
and happier, with abundance for the feast
and abundant cause for feasting. Christmas,
observed as the anniversary of the birth OF
the Saviour, is appropriately devoted to cheer
and friendship. With the recurrence of the
festival, in the homes of the rich and the
abodes of the poor, many hearts will be glad
dened by the recognition of love and affection
bestowed. The beauty and value of this sacred
anniversary cannot be over estimated, while
the gratitude for it's happy hours is miver-
SAL 1t brings mirth and joy, rest and happi-
ness, to nearly every fireside in the land The
song of the messenger on approaching the
plains of Bethlehem, 'On earth peace, good
will to men, conveys in brief sentence a
lesson in favor of humanity, Of public and
private beneyolence, of generosity, of useful
ness, and of Christian liberality that should
not be overlooked on this day. True, the
closing year has been hard one; in many
respects, in our own section, the hardest ever
known to a large number and doubtless there
are many homes to which no thought of mer-
ry making has come with the coming of
Christmas. But while the parents and chill
dren of the more prosperous are rejoicing
together in the happiness of the season, they
can make that happiness brighter and sweeter
by resolving that the desolate and needy and
depending shall share it with them. Let those
highly favored with the comforts of life not
forget those who are otherwise situated. The
poor, the helpless, the unfortunate, should on
this day be substantially remembered. And
while the churches contain their congregations
who listen to the story of Him whose birth
the day commentaries, it would be well to
remember the lesson He taught and the in
functions of love for every human being which
made His life model through all the sue
ceeding ages of unselish generosity and Chris
tian benevolence.
We do well to recall the initial hour with
song and festal cheer. When Heaven rejoices,
it is not for earth to put on sack cloth and
mourning. 1t is weak and diseased heart
that does not bound more cheerfully at the
thought of Christmas Morn. In thoughtless
youth the great pleasure of the day is antici-
patton and luxury of surprise. The longest
hours are just before day to the little children
who lie in bed watching the grotesque shadows
in their fitful dances on the walls, wondering
what the sly old man has put in their stock
ings. Then comes the hurry and scramble
for gifts The toys are eagerly examined and
the candies spread out. In the enjoyment Of
the moment, the good Santa Claus has gone
out OF mind, as he is supposed to have vanish
ed up the chimney, and will remain almost
forgotten for another year. AS we grow older,
this, the pleasantest of all illusions, falls away
from us, and we begin to compare each sue
ceeding Christmas with the one Just gone.
They grow tanner and more serious, and the
time between each recurring holiday seems
shorter. But, childish illusions passed, and
the sedateness ofage taking the place of youth
full fancies, the day never loses it's charm.
The same Santa Claus that comes down the
chimney and fills the stockings of the children,
leaves blessing also in every house, and fills
the hearts of the household with gratitude and
love. 1t is found in the closer uniting of the
hearts it folds. The warmth kindles there,
on the very hearth that bears its cropof stuffed
little stockings. 1t shines like ruddy blaze
i'll every face, and finds an echo on every
tongue. 1t whispers in our ears what again
we gladly and truly wish for ALA MERRY
CHRISTMAS