The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1885-12-19
THE CHRISTMAS ANNIVERSARY.

Before The UNION goes to press again Christmas
will have come and gone. There are with old and
young many delights in anticipating this memoir
able anniversary, but it is in reality the childrens
own day. Fancy, brilliant with bright hopes,
paints to them visions Of joy and gladness which
make the youthful heart pulsate lightly as the
Christmas sunset deepens into darkening shades
and its advanced eve finds those fancies giving
place to dreamy slumbers. Morn advances with
its auroral light and their eyes open to the reaza-
ton of what had been so fondly wished. Stock
ings hung up so confdingly and undoubtingly at
the bedpost, are seen filled with sweetmeats and
all sorts of presents graciousy bestowed by good,
kind hearted old Santa Claus after making his
night visit down the chimney. These being seen,
truly may it be said-joy cometh with the morn.
No language can be fund sufficiently extrava-
CANT or earnest to express gratitude to the gver.
In word, Santa Claus is the very best and kind
est old elf in all the world. His praises are sung
in juvenile peans without even the remotest doubt
of his being an absolute reality. 1t is well to
keep alive these early impressions and innocent
hallucinations. They grow greener and fresher
years
"reminiscences. Who is it that does not call up
halcyon memories of Christmas as it passed so de-
lightfully in days long gone by. To think of it
almost makes the old heart perennial and the
weather beaten traveller on life's downward slope
Young again in thought and deed. If there were
no other coed springing from the observance of
such an anniversary, its coming is valuable as a
green spot in memory to revive pristine pleasures
incident to the recollection of unallOyed youthful
happiness far back in the dim past.
There is also in the commemoration of such an
event sacred influence which has impressed itself
upon the human mind and heart ever since with
most saIutary effect. We are told by inspiration
that "when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,
in the days of Herod the king, behold there came
wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying,
where is He that is born King of the Jews ? for
we have seen his star in the East and we are come
to worship Him )" that "when they saw the star
they rejoiced with exceeding great joys" "when
they were come into the house they saw the young
child with Mary his mother and fell down and
worshiped Him; and when they opened their
treasures they presented unto Him gifts: gold aud
frankincense and myrrh." There is something so
touching, gentle, so pure, so beautiful In this
simple and graphic account of the birth of Jesus
that none can read it without feeling anxious to
rejoice in the knowledge of Saviour having been
born into the world 1t is not surprising that all
over the civilized earth, where Christianity pre-
walls, the anniversary of SO glorious an event
brings with it jubilee of rejoicing. Art and
science, refinement, purer, more elevated morals
have been advancing ever since toward greater per-
lection. 1t was, indeed, the beginning of an era
destined to spread in sublime and grand achieve
ments as the waters cover the sea, until, IN the
fullness of time, or when time shall be no more, q
ransomed world may realize its complete consum-
nation. Well may those of our present day and
generation, and of all nations, kindred and tongue
ssVsS.re Christianity has made its impress, give
iosS> ks and be jubiIant without measure in the
privilege of merriy celebrating the Christmas an
niversary. Of all others it seems most fitting for
joy and gladness.
Though the thought begets deep reverence, COM
manding profound gratitude, yet we are prone to
discrete merriment and joyous greetings. 1t fills
every heart, rightfully attuned, with love and
generation, bringing Herewith full exercise of
observation-disclosures the almost universal custom
of wishing to each other at the ushering in of such
period, ga merry Christmas"
Obedient to the sentiments already expressed,
it becomes our earnest pleasure to wish unto our
friends every one, one and ala happy, merry
Nbricfmoc