Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-12-23
LOCAL MATTERS

LOCAL MATTERS
WEATHER PROBABILITIES, Dec %. 1852.
FOR Tie Midd:: Atlantic States fair weather,
southwest 10 northwest winds. slight
changes in temperature and higher baron
.icr.
CHRISTMAS. The happy season is upon
n>. Lei Us welcome it. Childhood is happy
ana old age shares the pleasures of the
young. Who would take Christmas away
from the children. II is true. We might
eliminate their horns. but for The sake ofthc
10Y and heart felt satisfaction The footing
rXe:c!scsecms 10 give them, we are willing TO
permit their blasting noise 10 sound on IN.
rcadJusted. 1t is the mlt~ic Of Christmas.
Let no ''Scroogh be- found To chase away
HE young heralds. There is something i'm
The atmosphere of Christmas that promotes
Kindness OF heart. and cultiyatcs 4 spirit of
hcncEolrnce ami beEciicencc This is rea-
enable and natural for thu. season ccle-
crates the advent Of the prince Of Peace
whose mission was Good will toward men -
hence one feature that has never been ub.
cent from the happy time has been charity
|" The poor. Let us not forget in our feast
.Hg those who will know no change in their
hard condition, unless We bel p them 10 re.
ncmbcr Christmas Day The churches. too
are mindful oi their pastors, The papers.
both religious and secular. are REPORTING
more sunny side pastors this season than
usual. Ii is not the intrinsic value of the
gifts, hut The expression Of appreciation,
love and Kind remembrance their little love
tokens bear TO the heart.
DICKENS once said: 1T is good 10 he
children sometimes, and never better than
Al Christmas when its mghter Founder was
child Himself And we subscribe to the
sentiment when it is realized that in the
course Of time we are once more brought
10 The exc of this timc-honorcd festival
which is hailed with much delight by young
and old wherever the name of Christ has
been carried or the benign influence Of His
truths felt. season of relaxation, too.
from the vtyations and tolls Of busy life is
m imperative necessity 10 our peculiar
organism, and INDUCED in dccently and in
order cNcltcS the criticism of no right
thinking person any more than does the
fact of the son oi God spending !, week in
the festivities OF the wedding in Cana of
Talllee. old .Esop, many Years ago. so the
fable goes, was caught By an impairment
acquaintance playing with some children
The self-suilicient critic was not long in ey-
pressing his opinion of the conduct Of the
famous philosopher, when the Iatteru quietly
produced a bow and looscnng the string
Thereon cast Ii upon the ground, demanding
from the man an answer 10 the riddle
After standing in mute astonishment and
the very picture Of Stiffness for Il few mo-
inents, in modern parlance, she passed"
When .f.Sop thus explained That bow
represents man; keep it tightly strung and
IL Will soon become useless but loose the
oh,
and when wanted for use its power will be
found much greater Amid all the rcvelry
and glee, however, which will he entered
INTO, let no one lose sight of the fact that
The occasion is the celebration Of the birth
81 the Prince OF Peace, and consequently n
good feeling should pervadc everybody, and
me minds Of all be carried back to the time
when the great Author Of Christianity Law u
babe in Bethlehem the birth of whom was
announced .rcm heaven by beings who pro-
claimed in angelic chorus Peace on earth,
good will towards men" In the midst of
all the rivalry and display Of the occasion
It would be we'll to examine ourselves TO
see whether our hearts are surcharged with
the same heavenly principles, and also strive
not to lose sight of the spiritual picture of
Christmas in the midst of the sensuality and
riot in which some unfortunately allow
themselves to be plunged. We know there
are many well-meaning people in the world
who look with contempt upon the celcbra-
hon of Christmas because its observance is
not enjoined in the New Testament. For
the same reasons they might Cease hamper
ing themselves with the restrictions of the
Sabbath day, rs the keeping of the latter is
not commanded under the new economy ;
hut if the celebration of the birthday of the
ord is no: recommended by Holy Writ,
'hrlstlans should see no more improperly
~ defeating one day in the year to its re.
membrancc than does Gods ancient neOpie
When they indulge in little fcstivty dur
M the feast of Purim in commemoration
OF their miraculous deiverance from the
hlood-thirsty Vaccinations Of Hannah. But
Ignoring theological and ali other disputes
ana issues. let all enjoy themselves accord
ing 10 their several abilities, and. in apps.
loIlc language, remember those who are
N adversely, ard strive to make all with
whom wc come in contact happy in their
Inverse stations in life
The custom OF decking the churches and
houses al Christmas tide is an old one. lie
il'cd from the ancient Druid practices. anl
profanity sPrin"ing from an old belief th,t
sylvan spirits might iiork 10 hy ,v,g.iryES,
AND remain unipped by ir,,si un,l he
miller season. A. The holly ivy Rosemary,
hay. laurel, and III ST e;oc were he i;,vuli:ts
~ The "Iirn time. they sill remain,
although The absence of some Of thcS,. in
Eati"tiS parts Of this country has made i.
necessary TO substitute the pine aud cedar