Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-12-20
WOODSTOCK. VIRGINIA
"Wednesday, Dec. go. iSss.
Christmas.

The FpptOdO" ~
coined by millions. There are Il"
WHO cannot rejoice as the festive day
arows nioh. It cannot be appropnat-
edby any particular class OF people
lie celebration by some does not cause
sadness 10 others, ior it Is n day that
belongs TO all. Let universal JOY pre-
vail. ior Christ died for all.
How can we most enjoy the day. Is |
question in many minds. Many re-
card il as suited 10 sensual indulgence
ond 100 often desecraie the day hat
commentaries the gift that eleya'es
them nearer God, How it shall be eel'
CHEATED each one must determine lot
himself.
FDio,ment is almost the universal
desire and We are educated 10 Oelle'e
,hat Christmas is the day upon when,
ohove all others. evey creature should
enjoy himself. .no
How can man secure IVI "'''''''
greatest enjOyment:
You can best secvre it, ty making
others happy. ,1
There may te scme home, to when
ovon Christmas brings no ray of sun
shine. Trouble has brOoded over H.
soheayilv. so darkly, and that mouse
nav be so burdened by grlei' unknown
toany human heart, save the one 'na'
: hlead.nc and almost crushed mat
even the glad, bright rays ofthe happy
Christmas sun cannot penetrate tue
funeral pail that envelops It, line
homo that a few years ago promlseu
~ he n little Eden las been dalNea-
OIL Tie run-fend NAV have shot
a,bwort is entrance and the husband
,,o, promised Ito love and protect
has beep converted into butte that
totes e,ep the last crust from bis siaIy-
incchildyen and carnes ito those "ho
live upon the ruin Of happy homes' auo
,he siobs of broken hearted mothers
There may be DO pleasant anticipauon'
-sC,u.tcas ebeerin that home. lie
oh;ldren do not hang up their tiny stock
mos on Christmas eve, and their little
hearts are saddcned because Santa
Claus brings no presents TO them while
be;s So lavish with lis gifts to tie iiille
children Just across tie street. Can
Won not bring cheer to them aud awak-
en- in those little shruukeu hearts an
arpreciatlon OF the joy that was brought
10 The world on that night when the
Shepherds were keeping watch over
their lOcks:
1; may be that You know some one
whose heart was cnce as tender as
vours. whose life vas as spOlless as tie
flakes Of snow that fail lightly upon
the Garth. WHO cherished emotions as
pure. hopes as bright and aspirations as
noble as those that inspire the breasts
OF the best fus, but who in an hour
when temptation taking advantage OF
Der tenderest sympathies, led her cap
tive. aud to her. life Las no sunshine.
The doors that once opened gladly at
her coming are nov closed in her face,
the ewes that orce sparklcd IN response
to Ter genial smile are now cold ana
scrutiuizng, and the heart that once
tbrobbed in response to emotions as
pure as those that are sent from heaJ en-,
has been chilled, and hardened, and
crushed. To her, Christmas brings no
cheer. She finds no sympathetic heart
tbat tells her that Chris mas brings Joy
to all. Can you not find pleasure in
leading her to Hin who was without sin
and yet could sympatAiee more with the
guilty than those whose hearts were
blackcued by crimes which their iace5
concealed.
There may be some lonely widow,
whose children have sole; whose hu7'
band can no more ENJOY With her tie
Measures Of the day. 1t may be that
cod has given her a long aud happy
life. but now she realZss sense Of
Loneliness unknown 10 All save those
who have enjoyed The same pleasures
and have experienced the same sor-
rows. Christmas TO her brings reail
cation Of her loss but in her sllci. size
clings closely TO The anchor OF h.p-,
which to her is the star that stood over
where the young child was.'
fwcarc acluated By purpose 10
make some one happy.-a ciiid that has
no los ing psrni;a mother whose lie
has teen embitered by lore than her
share Of LIES trouble; al uu'or uua.c,
whose bleeding heart may be eyenpurrr
than ours, tor even such does lie forsi, e
an old an Mhose lie is drawing sadly
towards IS close, hi. early associates e,
tie partner Ct his bosom, hi. children
all gone and he compelled 10 bear h.s
burden alone to such carry sur -hl1e,
carry kind words and loving syupH1y
and CLrs nus vii! b.iog its sece'. 50
JOY TO your own healt.
-. -
Tho Ah;nodnn Iy0;uia. (RpadiCs .