Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-12-24
THE COMING FESTIVAL

Inere IS no nOnQay Ill the caienOdI So dear to the popular heart and so univer- sal in its celebration as Christmas. Other festivals there are which celebrate great political or military events. These are limited in their application and have their periods. They rise when the events which they commemorate are fresh in the minds and strong in the hearts of the celebrators, but they decline and fall ss they are succeeded by other events which overshadow them for time. And again, there is rarely an earthly event of great import at which all can rejoice. There is never victory at which the joy of the victors is not set off by the discomfiture of the vanquished.
 But the coming of the Savior was an event transcendent above all earthly events. There is no dark side to the picture. He brought confusion only to the powers of evil, and hope and faith to all mankind.
 Therefore it is that, though other fes- tivals may decline and 50 out of the public mind, the Christmas grows upon us as the years go by, and so it will con- tinue to grow as long as the beneicent teachings of the Savior continue to guide the world in the right direction. SELECTING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS :
 The trouble is not confined to the diff culty of making a choice. The truth is that most people feel that they must give hnr0nl fhnir Nc. tho question: embarrasses them. In all such cases the Christmas holidays, which should be the years gladdest time, are transformed into it's most for midable experience. If it were but one person who is to De made glad, with a gift, the difficulty would in general be far lighter; but it is when, as in most cases, one must get presents for at least a dozen-not counting the children, who must never be overlooked, at this season especially-that the situation be- comes actually troublesome. Many are practical solution of the problem how to make score of presents, costing per haps $40, with less than half of that sum to do it with.
 In every such case Dr Franklin's motto is still the only wise and safe rule of action. One should never make a purchase that cannot clearly be afforded. If you do not feel that you can afford to ex- pond this year more than S5, or even $1, in Christmas presents, you will be guilty of very reprehensible piece of folly if you attempt $20 outlay. One should always remember that it isn't the cost price of the article that makes the Christmas gift valuable, but the spirit that prompts it. If tho recipient does not s'think just as much of it" in case of g present from friend who is not .'flush," as he tor she) would if it were a $2O gift, the said recipient is hardly worthy of being remembered by any present. We all tend to overdo this busi- ness. We go on exceeding former sea sons gifts, until to mo of us, Christina. has secret terror, and cause of much enforced after-ecouomies that do serious ly interfere with the enjoyment oe the coming year. If you cannot clearly af ford to make presents, by all means dc not attempt to make any. You will lose nothin gby it, in the esteem of any ane all whose good opinion is worth having and most of all, you will save your own self-respect and comfort.
 
 The Excitement Not over. drY1cr cfc Sfi1 cnnfin