The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-12-25
YULE-TIDE.

walls, is the most beloyed-garlanded
unfadingly in spicy boughs of evergreen
and rudy holly wreaths, and "the
strange LEAKAGE of the mistletoe. Thanks
giving is temporal feast-day, and New
Year an arbitrary division of time.
Easter, solemn and beautiful. signaiizes
the resurrection of eternal Hope from
the chill darkness of the tomb. But
Christmas commentaries the dawning
of that Hope, all radiant and undimmed,
before the shadow of mortal grief had
fallen across it. Wisely did the author
of Christmas Coral" personify that day
as being with silver hair and smiling,
youthful face, so old, yet eternally
young; immortal, because it renews
itself each year in the hearts of the in
nocent.
To such as these it is ever welcome,
whether it comes white for white Christ's
birth, with
Red fire glowing
And ingle warm,
or decked with the flowers Of the
tropics.
And to those who are older grown
there is a glamour in the season, even If
it be only the golden haze which memo
ry breathes upon the PASTOR who is SO
poor and barren of JOY that he has not,
at least, one happy remembrance Of
Christmas-tide? Something of the glory
that shone upon the kneeling shepherds
still fingers around the day, waking a
vision of the star that led to the manger,
of that fontal light which was to illum-
inc the world.
The early observers Of Christian
festivity boldly adopted whatever
was picturesque in pagan ceremonies,
to Thor the Thunderer were made to do
honor to the birthday of the gentle
Nazarene. But, though the Yule-log
has yielded place to the gas-log, in the
inevitable course of progress, there is
something in the Christmas of olden
days, with its jollity and boisterous
merriment, that still appeals to the
imaginative mind. We lose sight of
crudities, as the brightly-colored picture
shines from the yellowed page Of some
ancient Misunderstanding us the great
hall decked with evergreens; the festal
board wherein the huge plum-pudding,
crowned with holly and circled with
flame, held the place of honor.
The merry, merry bells of Yule
gave the signal for open hand and open
house. Feeding the birds and giving
aims to the beggars was a regular part of
the days duties. The children went
'a-gooding' from house to house, with
the plea, 1.-The good times will not stay"
and were never turned away empty
handed. On Christmas night devout
eyes beheld the Burning Babe" lowering
in mid air. On Christmas eve the cattle
knelt in their stalls; the bees sang in
their hives; the cocks crowed all night
to keep off the malignant spirits. If a
Sunday child was counted lucky, still
moro fortunate was the one born on
Christmas. 1t was said of him, ga great
lord shall he be-" And happy he who
passed from life to death on that holy
day, for the gates of heaven were open
and he might pass in unquestioned.
A hundred pretty, tender fancies
cluster around the day by which we
mark the nativity of Christ. 1t has fur
nished inspiration for countless poets
and painters; it has been the source of
strains that fill with solemn joy, and
pictures that glow with colors
almost supernal. 1t is a season sacred
to childhood, when one may fancy that
the Christ-Child, who loves and remem-
bers children, must smile to see His
little ones merry. Heaven help the
home where Christmas is not happy
where it does not mean peace and good
will. Long may the omniferous Tree,
instarred with cleaning tapers, bow
down beneath the weight of its varied
fruitage.
Apart from any consideration of relig-
ion it would be melancholy sign should
the custom of celebrating Yule-tide fall
into neglect. Anything is good that
moves human nature to generous feeling,
and helps to prevent the heart of man
from drying up into withered kernel
Modern cynicism laughs at the old-fash-
Toned, sentimental idea that Christmas
should be more than commercial inter-
change of presents; that it should be
day when grudges are forgotten and
wrongs forgiven, its gifts implying low
ing thought or loving sacrifice. Yet how
much gentler and kindlier life might be-
come, how many darkling evils might be
averted were Christianity more Christ
like,-if a place were always made
around the Christmas fire for the poor,
the discouraged, the homeless, for whom
there is mo room in the inn;" and the
pealing bells should say to the wayfarer,
Come home! come home, Here, tired
heart, are warmth, and rest, and love"
SORROW, GRIEFS SCRCEASE.