Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-25
THURSDAY. DECEMBER %, 1890
The Christmas Of To-Day.

sound is echoed on around the globe.
There are people OF our faith in every
land. Some will celebrate the day in
regions OF eternal snow; others in tenn
perate climes like ours others in the
tropics but everywhere among them the
greetings enjoin thoughts OF the Babe OF
Bethlehem, and are suggestive OF the
angelic chorus heralding the Prince OF
Peace.
1t is a season that brings the whole
Christian world together. While all
the rest OF the year UNCONVENTIONAL diff
ferences msy separate them, to-day
the same thankful view everywhere OBJ
tains. and the songs and prayers, merry
markings, family reunions and kindly
greetings, though they may vary in
form. show the bond of common
faith.
From the mightiest king on his throne
10 the beggar croucbing in his corner or
gathering fuel for his fire by raking
through ash-piles the music OF Christ
mas bells carries thrill OF gladness that
no other earthly sound can convey.
To the aged wayfarer it brings back
memories of happy youth; OF the old
homestead in the country Of woodlands
mantled in snow of the red-berried
holly, tho mistletoe and fragrant cedar
used in the house decoration of the big
open fireplace and blazing logs and
tall chimney-piece. beside which tho
childrsns stockings we're hung for Santa
Claus aoming, and alas, Of the gray
hairedMth and tender mother; OF Sis
ters and brothers and cousins and OF O
family circle broken and gone.
1t is only the most buoyant and hope
full OF our elders who will admit that
Christmas is now what i, used 70 he
yet they are only repeating the expo
riences of their parents, as their chill
dren will repeat theirs. GOOD old
times are not the calendared months
and years-they are the property OF no
particular century-but are the periods
of youth, health. and ambition when
sorrows seldom appear, and never cut
deep burrows, and when pleasures
come in heaps and are keenly relished
and long remembered.
We cannot unroll the years that arc
now bound into the volumes of the past.
but we may help TO reproduce their best
parts IN the joys of the youth about u.s.
And into households where Christmas is
chilled by penury we may enter and turn
misery into gladness by practicing that
Christmas spirit which enjoins us to feed
the hungry, visit the prisoner, and do as
We would be done by.
In our happy land this morning there
Is many an attentive ear striving to catch
the hooi-beats OF the reindeers that drag
Santa CLAUSE car over mountains, rivers,
fields aud housetops until adown
the chimneys the homes of the good
children are reached, and supply OF
presents, adequate to their expectations,
Is dropped into their stockings. Wait
ing they will fall asleep waking they
will find their cherished hopes realized.
Equally joyful, but not so boisterous,
will be those gatherings around the dim
ner-table, where whole families are re-
united and where merriment rules the
hour.
In she community generally it should
be the accepted season for men to forget
their animosities, their failures and mis-
fortunes and to give TO each other with
heart warmth the gracious greeting 90
happy Christmas
In this city Astounding in luxurious
homes and filed with men OF means WI
hope that there will be a spontaneou
effort 10 make the day memorable to all
Speak the cheerful word and give freely
Enter into the joys of the youth and for
bear with those who disturb your quie
with boyish pranks and juvenile noises
II you ask for an undeniable and con
vincing proof OF the truth OF the Ok
Testament history. We ask you to turi
your eyes upon the remarkable and won
derful people whom Governor NANol
once likened to tho Gulf Stream-th,
Jews or israelites.
II you ask Cor an undeniable and con
vincing proof of the truth OF the Ne'
Testament history. We say to you as 81
CuRIsrorHKR WBKS's monument in st
Paul's, London, says: "Look aroun'
YOU" What else does this Christina
day mean?
The DIspArcu would like to assembl
all Of its family OF readers beneath 1T
roof to-day and seat them around tabi
laden with the best the earth affords
and then Let the merry jest. the season
compliments. and stories Of other day
60 round and "ioy be unconfned
while as host ii carved the turkey an
sliced the old Virginia ham but thi
cannot be. No hall uld hold our guests
no table would afford places for them q
and il speech were allowed to each
another Christmas would come befor
the orstory would be ended We ca
only send to each ereeting--s heart
wish that We may ell appreciate sh
blessings OF our times and country an
be grateful for the gifs which kin
Providence bestows upon M every da
in the year and most abundantIy 9
Christmas.
4 happy Christmas 10 all