Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-01-26
Christmas.
fBy DR.. F. 3. Robinson.l

pected and unexpected events.
Over unexpected events men have
little or no control and yet they
make up much of LIES sorrows
and Joys. They are often good
tests to train decision and purpose.
But it is the expected events
which show a nations tendency,
its religion, its innerdomestic life
and its methods of enjoyment.
Christmas time is the most ancient
ly celebrated part of the year. 1t
is universally observed with i'm
pressiveness in all continental
Europe. Even the Jews in the
synagogues Of Berlin hold high
festivals for the children at
Christmas season. 1t is talked of
the year around. L has become
grounded in the language and life
of the people, so that it demands
attention from the national gov
eminent which recognizes consid-
cradle wants of the poor and is
quite liberal to its servants at this
season. The great universities
cease their labors for nearly three
weeks. The celebration is mostly
of German origin and the word
CHRIST BAUM gathers around it a
host of associated meanings. It's
influence over the minds of the
young is very great. This ancient
festival begins early in December
and continues sometimes after the
month is over. 1t has a deeper
Specification and bearing than any
thing of the kind in America.
For ages and centuries it has
grown into the wool and warf Of
the peoples existence. 1t certain
ly shows that Christianity will live
and spread. The numerous Jews of
Vienna may be seen indulging in
gifts, of the season, though from
fair evidence the Jew of Pilote's
day and that of the present edit
fies but little. Vast preparations
are made in all the German cities
especially in Berlin and Vienna,
for the greatest of festivals. 1t
partakes of a religious nature
The church bells ring their chimes
over all the city and country but
they call the people to feasts
rather than to penance. These
merry Christmas bells of the
morning are not precursors of
superstitious church anthems but
of physical and social blessings
good and great. Having just re-
turned from one of these stately
old cathedrals whose arches revi-
brated with song and music one
can say that devotes of the re-
ligion Of this festivity have not lost
their zeal. But its religious ma
ture has passed more and more in
the social. 1t becomes a feast of
the revival and formation of friend
ships. 1t is here the greatest
social festival of the age Old
friends are united, new acquaint-
ances are made and the charity of
human nature is cultivated to the
highest degree. 1t is time when
the whole people of country
visit each other. The holidays
are general and friends and rela-
tons are gathered from far and
near round the festive board.
Here are told the joys and sor-
rows, the hopes and disappoint-
ments which occur in LIES pill
grimage. In those last two weeks
of the year human nature in
Vienna rises to the climax of
pleasurable existence. Old age
tells its story of sharp youthful
appetite when nobody made cakes
like mother" of the fresh and we'll
remembered joyous sports of
growing boys and girls, of times
long ago but not forgotten. Age
loves to dwell on the scenes of
youth. Still more is the festival
useful in the influence over the
young of both sexes who meet
with hopes and part with am
bition. Each has his story to tell
which is an unconscious plan of
his future life. The event of his
Christmas good humor casts its
shadow before and makes his flu
ture friends. These days of pleas
ant converse and happy festivity
make more husbands and wives
than all the cunning match max
ers, for love is ever powerful
among sunny countenances that
beam with joy, among merry
hearts that are free from sorrow
and where good humored life APP
pears but one beautiful joy forever
Innumerable weddings are the re-
suits of these bewitching times.
Probably the greatest pleasure
comes to the children. These
little messengers that more than
all else besides minister to the joys
and hopes of life who make the
heart of men too big for the body
must have the CHRIST BAUM. 1t is
a treat long to be remembered to
IL ,1nn,