The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1884-12-22
CHRISTMAS is COMING.

Yes, dear friends and readers OF the
LIGnr, Christmas Is almost at our door
once more, that dear old holiday that
will never grow old, while the heart of
poor humanity continues to throb with
alternate hopes and fears. What tide
Of both sad and sweet memories crowd
round the heart at the mere thought Of
"Christmas tide" memories Of those by
gone years that passed all too quickly,
like n summers day. Oh! those hopes
and wishes that were centered round
the coming Of dear old Santa Claus"
on his reindeer sledge," the trying to
keep awake till midnight hour to see
krlss kringle come down the chi mney
and fill our little stockings hung so ex-
pectantly by the bed, the waking up at
mornings light to find all our anticipa-
tlons more than realized by the good
"Santa Claus who never forgets his
own: and when In later years we found
out who the good fairy OF our childhood
was, still the dream was realized Mt
every Christmas Eve, and so long as the
loved ones guarded us we were never
forgotten, but time and years bring many
change. The loved ones | knew In
childhood have passed to the better
land, and stand alone us the last direct
survivor OF my race. yet my heart Is as
warm and my love Is as true MS in those
olden days when my life was full of
pleasant sunshine. Though clouds have
lowered about my house, yet through all
the darkness have | ever looked and
hoped for the "silver lining" Ii does
my heart good to see the children happy,
God bless them; they are the sunbeams
across our pathway In life, and YOU may
rest assured | never take much stock in
the man or woman VINO SAYS they think
children Il nuisance. ! am well aware
from actual experience that they are a
trial and care through life; still, If 1t
was not for my little ones, would ask
God to let me die, for all my hope and
ambition IN life lies in the future of my
children. and 1t Is the same with every
other parent who loves their offspring.
what does childless married couple
look like; they remind me of n couple of
tombstones along the highway of life,
more for ornament than use. But to re-
turn to Christmas tide, may il prove q
happy one to all the readers of the LIGHT,
may the rich amid their plenty not for
get the LAZARUS at their gate, and
above all things let us make the children
happy. Let this be Il gala day in their
young lives never to be forgotten. May
the song the shepherds" sang on the
plains of Judea be sung again on this
coming Ghrlstmas-"Peace on earth and
good will towards men," We have
much for which to be thankful, peace
and prosperity reigns within our Dor
ders. We have safely passed through n
most exciting Presidential election, and
all Is quiet and peaceful once more.
VIII not deny that as Republican |
hoped to rejoice over the election of
Blaine and Logan. but as God and the
state OF New York willed 1t otherwise,
/, oil course, accept the situation, as
every loyal American should, there Is no
use crying over "spilt milk" All we
have to do is to be little more careful
how we handle the ''lacteal fluid" in the
future; so let us enjoy our Christmas us
far as we are able, not forgetting our
Sayior's words, that 1.-The poor We have
with you always" So lei us try and
tighten the burden of some weary heart,
or make some one glad by n present suit
able for this Christmas tide. The day is
claimed by all the orthodox Christians
AS the anniversary Of the birth of Christ.
whereas this same festival can be traced
back to the dark ages of antiquity. Still
1t Is just ms well so long as 1t inaugu-
rates the era of peace and good will to-
wards men. Many and varied are the
supersttions in regard to Christmas
Eve; the old yule log, the mistletoe, the
games, and the belief that at midnight
the cows and all animals kneel down in
alteration of the child Jesus, who was
born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days
of Herod the King, and whose star in
the east guided the wise men to where
the young child lay to do him homage.
All these things combined goes to show
that there is natural veneraton and love
for Supreme Being in the breast of
every child of earth. | love the story
OF the babe in the Manger' as well to-
day as l did 30 years ago, when little
Sunday school scholar memorized it,
never TO be forgotten. Wishing the
LIGHT and all its readers a merry Christ
mas, I'll say adieu. MAGNOLIA.
San Antonio, December 10. 1891.