Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1881-12-24

RAPIDLY the old year is drawing
10 a close, and before the MEssEN-
GER again greets its readers, Christ
mas, the great holiday of old and
young, rich aud poor alike, the
day which is celebrated in every
land where the story OF the Babe
of Bethlehem has been told, will
have been ushered in. Nearly nine
teen centuries ago, the shepherds
who watched their 1ocks by night
on the Judean plains, heard the
angelic hosts as they sang with
voices of surpa ssing beautyt
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, good will to
men ;" and the proclamation,
unto you is born this day, in the
city OF David, Saviour, which is
Christ the Lord" Christmas, the
birth day ofour Saviour, the Mighty
Counsellor, the Prince OF Peace !!
As the years glide by, men grow
more and more enlightened upon
the import of the doctrines and
teachings which He taught and
which were at first received only
by few Of the ignorant fishermen
of Galilee, aud entirely overlooked
by the sages of Rome and Greece.
Well may we celebrate the birth
day of Him who stood to US in the
relation Of an elder brother and
pledged His own merits with the
Father Tor the redemption and
salvation of the human family
Christmas is the great national
holiday of the Christian Church.
1t is fitting that its annual recur-
renee should be remembered and
celebrated by all mankind. 1t is
ga time for memory and Tor tears"
and yet it brings with it untold
delights. The day is hallowed to
the recollection of US all from in
fancy, and the lamp of love would
shed but a feeble glimmer upon
our homes and hearts were itnot
for the JOY and gladness inspired
by anniversaries like the one we
are to celebrate next week.
Men who mingle in the busy
cares of active. out. door life, and
who are brought in daily contact
with an uncharitable world, would
find it easy to steel their hearts a
gainst the appeals OF the widow
and orphan, the half-clothed and
homeless, the miserable outcast,
were it not for the tenderness and
sympathy that creeps unbidden IN
TO their breasts as they gather a
round the warm fireside in their
own cosy homes, and have their
better natures, their nobler lmpul-
SEES, warmed into life by the prattle
of Youth and the smiles of inno-
cence. Charity and kindliness
spring up under the breath of
such influences as the memories Of
the day inspire, and happily the
world is better for it, since we are
stirred to a more considerable inter-
est in the welfare of others. As
Washington Irving has said,
Christmas is indeed " the season
of regener4ted feeling-the season
for kindling not merely the fire OF
hospitality in the hall, but the
genial fame of charity in the
heart" In accordance with the
time. honored customs OF the past,
let the bells ring out, let carols
be sung, let the churches aud oar
dwellings be decorated with holly
and evergreens. Whether chap
let's be worn or net, the girls aud
boys will doubtless 4" kiss under
the rose and misletoe. " In the
midst of the general rejoicing and
feasting, let us remember the
poor. The happiness derived from
relieving the wants of the needy
is one of the purest on earth
Let us then, as we join in the
mirth and festivities of this holt
day of halidays, not forget the
kindly word aud little gilt that
sends a rill of happiness through
many an aching heart on whom
the shadows of life are hanging
and on whom the darkness has
come down heavily. We can al
do something, even though 1T b.
but little, in relieving the care'
of others. There is not enc o
our readers but who can find sons
worthy object of charity. To eacl
and every reader of the MESSENGER w
tender very Merry Christmas ant