The Arizona champion., 1885-12-26
A CHRISTMAS CREEPING,

Although the CHAMPION will not reach its readers until after Cnristmas Day, il is no, too late to wish one and all merry Christmas and hap py New Year.
 The week commencing with the day commemorating the birth of Je. sus ot Nazareth and ending with the advent of the New Year is appropri. ately considered period of holiday and rejoicing, and it should be, for the season celebrates the coming of Him who laid the founditionI of Christianity, upon which the super structure of civilization has been built with all of its attendant blessings to humanity and incentives to human progress. It also brings us to th: close of another landmark in our growth as people, as we'll as in our individual lives. The Christmas hol- idays are the dying days ot a passing year that has been rich with natural prosperity and laden with many ia, vors for the most of us. Therefore, IL is fitting, that during this holidl time we should banish dull care anG look upon the bright side of things, not forgetting those who are less tor tunate than ourselves, and helping them all we can. A good dinner oi turkey and cranberry "sass" will go down with better appetite when you feel that you have helped some family 10 a good dinner who seldom gets one But don't make the holidays an ex- cuse for getting full, "whoopin' e up" and painting the town "mlgen' ta." Bury the old year deceutiy and begin the new one with clear heads and the honest purpose to ald il, growth to a better manhood and q richer old age than was shown by It's predecessor.
 We are growing to b. more holi. day loving people every year. In the continuous whirl ol business life in our large cities they are breathing spots for overworked brain and mus. cle, the value of which can scarcely be estimated by people who dwell in these western lands. As an example of how the habits of localities change, il is but few years ago-ds history IS counted-that the legislature of Ms sachusetts passed law that anyone tound observing Christmas by cessa- tlon from work, j1iring in games or unusual feasting, should be arrested and fined five shillings. and Judge Sewell sitting on the bench al Boston held that plum pud ling eaten on Christmas day was Anahicma WaraHG Ma. But "the world do moye," ana these old Puritans being happily gath. cred to their fathers and their laws become obsolete, Christmas day |, now more thoroughly observed than any festival of tht year. The Fourth of July is day on which the average American citizen considers it duty to get ''pa,rio,icalIy fIddicd," to the accompanying mu,lc of exploding fire crackers, but there is no home- meaning to the festival, it is all noisy, out door celebration. Thanksgiving was originated, as day set apart for prayer and praise, to return thanks for bountiss bestowed by benehGient Creator, but 1t has grown to be simply ~ HO iihaJ "USh ioullliCo IOiS lCSdtt together 10 devoar the tough tuck. J and appropriate hxings.
 But Cnristmas i, the most joyous day of the year, It brings a merry tune to the rude log hut, as well as 10 the palace. Although it comes in winter, it IS the Towering time of bu. man nature, when people learn tha, those who do most for others, do most for themselves, IL Is the childrcn' {. festival, wnen Santa Claus make. bright little eyes grow brighter. II is not merely the holiday of a na. ,iOn, but the festival ol all Christian lands, and around its history IS woven lovely legends and sacred stories. l, IS the festival of humanity, which, until languages are dead and lips are dust, will conIlupe to proclaim Peafe or earia a7f gsod WiN tolpar., wen,