The Osceola times., 1886-04-24
THE CHRISTMAS lNGLE.

shadow OF tnelr OrlRtna substantive
Christmas, b however, still holds some
what of its original place amongst ms
and, from its glorious associations, well
1t may. As we write, we can almost
feel the huge bundie of isbor failing
from the shoulders Of the nation. and
see the millions of bright eyes and happy
hearts giving silent yet universal thanks
to Him, who from his lowly birthplace
in Bethlehem, eighteen hundred years
ago, inspired the song of songs, "Glory
to God in the highest, and on eirth
peace, goodwill toward men,"
This great festival belongs not to city
or country only-it is the hcart-welling
patrimony of all Christendom. 1t comes
with all the eeniality that the social
heart can gather in and be merry with.
II tunes the tongue ofyouth, till myraids
Of young voices sing, out of the abun-
dance Of their joy
'ChrIstma awake and greet the happy morn
Whom Christ the Savior Of the world was
horn F"
II blunts the edge of keenest, deepest
sorrow, and whispers to the mourners,
tnat, over and above all human care
and grief, there is joy in the natal day
OF Him who became moral and walked
and talked in the earth till darkness fed
away. and Gods great light shone forth
for all time and ever. There will be
vacant chairs in many Christmas ingle,
truly, but it ia only the common lot of
things. The pulsations of the universe
will be the same; pain and sickness will
not cease, nor death hold back his fatal
shaft. But over the whole there will be,
% there ever has been, a calm serenity,
making pair less poignant, and the
hand Of the destroyer less cold and aw-
full. These are no imaginings; we have
felt much of it deeply and keenly.
We need hardly say, on the other
hand, that Joy will be mora joyous and
giadness more gladsome. Every heart
that possibly can. will assuredly make
holiday at such q season. The vast CON-
mercial world will nominally, if not gen
orally, close its books; the banks will
suspend payment for this day; and the
the million workers in the mart and
workshop will throw down their tools
and breathe the pure air of freedom and
pleasure for season. In our very work
houses the poor will forget their poverty
this day. and even in the prisons will
be heard nnwonted sounds of cheerful
ness.
There was one Christmas Eve Of our
boyhood (how vividly it comes TO recol-
lection) which found the writer of this
paper, ct the cleaning, at his labor in
the huge metropolis: our dear old native
inQlc and pleasant Christmas festival
was rwenty-fo miles away in the Hert
fordshire lanes. There was no railway
then, nor any coaches running this late
in the evening. Our employer did not
relish these holidays at all, and said as
much 10 MS, when we begged to be re
leased early in the afternoon, so as TO
be able to walk home before dark. He
might have consented, for that boys
heart of ours was at home already, and
embracing the dear mother, who was
sure to be ready with open arms TO re-
ceiye her weary footsore child. Eight
o'clock came. and in five minutes after
u kAs t,.xht
of spirits also. The thr,nged streets
were soon threaded, and with quicken
ed steps we found ourselves at the out
skirts Of London as the clocks struck
nine. The next strokes Of time fell up
on our ears from far-off country church
yard, and they numbered twelve, and
the half of our journey at the same time
1t was clear, frosty night. and the
wide world lay under its broad blanket
Of snow. Few sounds came either tc
cheer or eadden us; but we were goine
hone, and that was the inspiriting tails
man. Now and again the solitary rattle
of a sheeo bell, from a neigtborins
turnip-feld or farmstead as we passed
along broke the monotony of silence
By and by, on reachiug quiet village
town. we were cheerfully surprised L
hear the iirst notes of Christmas an
them in which We had joined when I
boy in the country. Tired rs we wer'
and anxious not to liuger-the hour
the occasion, the blending of humbe
Of fresh, vigorous voices in the pur
buoyant air, held us silent and happ,
till The last echo died away. We coul'
see tine old house at home good mill
of. A candle was in the window Nv,
see it now) TO let us know that the de,
folks were waiting; and ere the old clocl
struck three in the morning we wer
snug In the Christmas cornsr.
And thus it ever is. Distance cal
sArcely prevent It; money will be hus
banded TO accomplish It; money shall b,
set apart for it, II something less worth,
should be postponed. ave will be will
you at Christmas, God willing" is tn,
burden Oft national postman for week
before the day dawns.
Then welcome, Chrstmss-merry
coy, genial old Christmas. As heart,
friend who has made the cycle of tn,
world in three hundred and sixty-fou
days, we greet you on the threshold o.
the three hundred and sixty-iiith
Our right hand is held out to draw yo,
In and welcome you 10 our family circles
Therefore, put your staff aside, sit in th'
great armchair, make the ingle ch rfu
with your smiles. while merry chiidrel
climb upon or dance around your knee
and blushins maidens wreath your patri
GrGhaI head with Riitfering holly. Las
4 - - ~ Gunad q joy rineing throuGl
z - Iho whol0 unlUoluo
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