Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-25
THURSDAY. DECEMBER "a. 1891.
Christmas-Day. 1891.

The traditional If not the typical Christ
mas is associated in the public mind
with ice aud snow, but whether such
weather was ever usual In this part of
Virginia Of this season may be doubted.
The records on the subject are mesgre,
but nearly every elderly man will conf
IDENTIFY assert that our winters have
changed and that they are now much
milder than they were in the days of his
boybood.
Such recollections are VIGOROUSLY I'M
reliable. They are Of piece with those
which ascribe unalloyed bliss to all Of
childhood's hours.
II is possible that the expectation OF
lusty winter weather at Christmas is an
inheritance that came down through our
ancestors from colder climates in the old
country. II, however, the whole respon-
sbihty cam d be disposed of upon that
theory, O portion Of 1t NAV be convenient
ly laid on the picture books. which inva-
riably represent Santa Claus in cap and
furs whirling along IN his rendeer-drawn
sled over ice-felds, snow-drifts, and house
tops.
Such pictorial designs have been before
the eyes of generation after generation OF
children, numbers of whom have uncon-
sciously imbibed from them their notions
of "a white Christmas" and now so firmly
set in their minds il the idea that these were
the real Christmases of the olden times
they would be sworn that these very
things they had seen.
Certainly there have been such Christ
masses in Eastern virginia. but they may
have been the exception rather than the
rule. But il is Of no great consequence. IL
there is snow it is received with great JOY; If
there is none the children have other
things to please them. That Christmas is
here is enough for them.
To adults Christmas 1s q memory, while
10 children il Is hopes realization. In its
religious lessons it is for all Of US, and the
prayers and anthems of the day must touch
all hearts; but in its celebration as sea-
son of rest and pleasure it belongs particu-
larly, but not exclusively, TO the chill
dren. The family gatherings are arranged
TO bring under the parental roof the chill
dren and the grandchildren, and the wide
spread custom of present-makng is but an
outgrowth Of the supposed visits of Santa
Claus, albeit it has been considerably ex-
tended of late. and now includes within
its range many who are children for this
purpose and occasion only.
OF the birth of our Saviour it has been
said that by it the world was whirled as by
miracle out OF the darkness of rude night
,.xA ka ft,n lf .1A :
This hight has never gone out, nor has the
circumference Of its influence ceased to
spread and widen. The life that was lived
in far-off Judea has been the strongest
spell upon human hearts and the might.
lest influence in human society. To-day
the glorias started in the far-of
eastern choirs are taken up in
successive lands and encompass the
world in one zone of praise: for,
notwithstanding the fact that all Christen-
dom does not observe the same Christ
mas-day that We do (the Greek Church ls
the exception, the Roman Catholic and
Protestant churches are so numerous and
are planted in SO many countries that the
figure We use is not wholly inapt.
The lessons Of Peace and Charity and
Thankfulness enforced by the doctrines
and life of Christ ought always to be in
our minds. but If we are ever TO let them
slip out of memory it should not be on
this day. Whoever has q grateful heart
will find something to be thankful for,
and whoever has o charitable hand may
easily find some object worthy Of his
bounty.
We can best fulfil the obligations laid
upon US 10y our advantages as Christian
people by contributing something to the
happiness of others. Those who seek will
End both the means and the way for the
fulflment of this duty. There are some
here who need bread there are many
more who crave comfort or encouragement.
To the one we may give from our purses;
TO the other we must give from our sympa-
thetic hearts.
But it is no time to be sermonizing now
when We are in the thick Of the smoke
and noise Of battle, as 1t were. Let us
hope that oil our people are 50 well
equipped with good resolutions and forti-
fed with firm purposes as to need no ad-
vice from us. and that they will spend the
day going about doing good.
To ell OF our readers we heartily wish
merry Christmas and many Joyous re-
turns, and increasing prosperity as the
years roll on and fold US in the arms of
Time.