Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-12-22
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

CHRISTMAS GhEhIINGS.
In offering to our readers the greetings
appropriate to the season, We need not re-
mind them that Christmas cheer loses none
of its heartiness, but brightens with the roll
ing years.
The Irish have pleasing superstition
that it is illluck for the fire to go out on
the hearth. The central fire kindled upon
the hearth-stone of our race by the great
event recalled in this festival Of humanity,
throws out, with each return, a more genial
glow upon the happy groups rejoicing in its
light
Our readers will agree with us that Christ
mas could not possibly be dropped out Of
our history without extinguishing its most
vital inspiration. Their brightest smiles
would fade on the young faces now turning
to the golden gates ushering in the birth
day of all human joy. History would need
TO be rewritten, as having lost its connect
ing thread upon which all its pearls are
hung. Happy homes and firesides in miss
ing the mistletoe bough and evergreen
wreath on the wall, and the early carols of
the choristers on their joyous rounds, would
be draped in sorrow for the loss of grand
tradition.
New blood was surely poured into the
worlds exhausted family life by the great
Birth at Bethlehem in Judea. Not only in
quickening all sacred influences, but in stir
ring the pulses Of universal life, that new
blood has brought nobler glow to the pale
brow of manhood.
The fact that this is the consecrated festi-
val of the children of Christendom, as they
catch and reflect the smile of their ever
Young Brother, is genial proof that in this
wonderful Birth into the worlds great fam
lily, heaven gave TO each child of man kiss
of peace and an undying song in the heart.
Apart from all religious associations and &C.
clesiastical traditions, Christmas, in a mys-
ferrous way, rings out its merry bells not
only in the old church-towers, but in all the
sparkling air and around the globe. Every
household repeats the signal, and prepares
to keep the human hearts great feast. The
wanderers from old homes, dispersed by
lilies sad changes, return with bounding
step to the charmed circles Of early affec-
ton. Or If toiling in distant lands, severed
by stormy seas, send back fond greetings
and tokens Of remembrance.
1t may be that upon some of the home
circles TO which we send our Christmas
greetings, dark shadows have been thrown
by the inevitable sorrows of life. Some
faces are missed, and voices are hushed that
mingled with the festive scenes of the past.
Let us believe that through the windows of
the heavenly home these faces are beaming
upon us with expectant love, and we shall
think that in this life only love must surely
perish separated from the eternal home
gathering.
We have no time for vain regret Our
fieeting joys turn their brightest faces heav-
onward, and bid us do our work bravely
and well. At this season of reunion, let us
see in miniature, in the groups around US,
the generations that are to bear into the
teeming future the destinies of our great
people, and educate them for the high mis-
sion.
Ring out slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.
"Ring out false pride in place and blood,
AZ eivip al ndar nd ha snita.