Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1882-12-26
CHRISTMAS.

HiStoFN OF tHFlSt. IL Is NJ once "a
religious, social and merry festival
in all Christian lands, and has been
for near two thousand years,
| All peoples of the earth have
their days of holiday and merri.
ment when tho cares of life are
thrust behind them and they enter
into seasons of feasting and thanks.
giving. From the ice bound forest
OF Sweden and Norway where the
nightly Offering is laid on the froz.
ell hills for the great spirit OF Odin,
along the shining glaciers ofSwitz.
erland, over the vine clad hills Of
France, through the olive groves OF
Spain, by the green banks of Meme.
ma, under the sunny skies of Italy,
over the bleak moors of suffering
Ireland where the shamrock and the
thistle wave, OIL the lochs and high.
lands Of bonnie Scotland, across
the meadow and heath OF Albion
where the brown haired maidcns
dance upon the green and sturdy
ycomcn sing tod save the Queen"
everywhere tradition or custom,
religious, social or national obs,rv,
ance, calls nj stated periods 10 all
Gods creatures, and the laborer
rests from his toll, the wife sets her
house in trim, the boy puts aside
his irksome task and the aged aud
the Young assemble to taste the
pure delight. of home and social
joys.
But what are all these gala days,
in deep and holy feeling, in precious
significance, compared with that
universal one which commoratcs the
birth Of Christ on earth. Near two
thousand years ago single star
in the heavens disclosed the spot
where the babe lay. That faithful
star remains. Ii will ever remain.
The light OF It's beams is the hope
and the glory of humanity. Down
on the jostllng, restless, living
world, upon the dwcllers in palace
and cot alike, its steady light is shin.
ing stll, and every year peasant and
prince, sage and serf, matron and
maid, pause in their allotted path
through life and think of Bcthic
hem. Then charity fiticth all hearts
and peace and good will reign su.
premc. At the time when the great
gift was made to the world, men
give good gifts to their fellows and
utter hearty wishes for happiness
aud long life.
What magic, fairy network is
entwined about this hallowed
Christmas, What golden visions.
what bounding hopes, what bright
imaginings accompany its usheriug
IN and attend upon its happy com.
ing. The genius OF st. Nicholas
fingers about the bedside of the
dying year and catches the failing
monarchs last whisper, "make my
children happy He has ridden on
the falling snow flakes. his courscrs
have plauccd down the Slanting
moouheamS, and his chariot is rest.
lnG IN the ovrrhlnging branches of
shrlrcring tiroS. What treasures
he bears, and bow iauntily he bears
them. Jewels and toys. fruits and
games, and every thing which can
make the Innocent, childish heart
leap tor JOY. To the young it is the
day above all others. To the old it
brings pleasures equally as dear
aud acceptable. On this day there
are family reunions. The children
that have grown mp aud gone from
the paternal roof TO seek their fort
une i'll the busy, whirling world
come back, and FOX one day are
children again around the Preside.
There come holy memories of those
who are absent, perhaps TO return