The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-12-22
The TRUE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Ready to Respond to Its Blessed In
huence7 & #S
Has the spirit of Christmas come t.
you? I do not mean the. spirit O,
Christmas as evidenced by the daint,
things from tho Christmas tree, tn,
plpms in the pudding. or the rich juic
OF the gravy; but l do mean--are 20,
ready to put out your hand to he,
whom you have thought did you an un
kindness?
Are you ready to ask forgiveness TO
the thoughtless word spoken?
Are you ready to overlook wha
seemed to you slight? And are yo,
ready to ask that each one near an.
dear to you may be joyful and happy
and that the stranger at The gates maj
rot be forgotten?
Unless you can do all this the Christ
mas spirit is not in yon.
And If it is not, then, my dea
woman, get down on your knees an.
pr&y to that little Child who came on
earth so many years ago that He nigh,
bring to it light and joy, and ask Hiu
to open your heart to the light ant
love of kindness.
Do you want to make a happy
Christmas for yourself and for othe:
people? Then give, and give royalty
Royal giving means generous bestow
ing of the best that you have to thos.
least used to possessing.
Your royal gift may be but a lovinl
message, out be sure if it is given il
the name OF that little Child it viii
bring happin. SIS wherever it goes, and
like the water of the fountain, it viii
return to You with it's virtues thou
sand times greater, and you will b.
made better and younger by it. Il
your Joy remember the children, no
just your own-they have you to lool
after them-but think of the little one.
whose homes are bare, where life il
like tossing sea.
Remember the sick children. Thinl
of the joy beautiful toy, a grea;
round orange, big bag of candle,
only to be looked at, will bring to tn.
little ones whose limbs are tied dow,
forever. Think of the great picture
book over which the eyes will oper
wide-eyes, my friend, that will 'sool
be closed forever in death; and of thu
great and intense delight felt when ,
wonderful tree is recognized, or ,
birds name is known to the little DO,
whose life had been spent in the clos,
streets. These are gifts that you will
never regret. Give of them-give O
your plenty and from your heart, AM
be sure that to each little one of you
own will come special happiness be
cause you have rememb ered the suit
ferers among the babies. When tina,
Divine Baby slept so quietly in tn.
stable, the great kings of the cart
thought it worth while to bring pres
ents to him, and surely as you conside
the least among these, He will remem
Der you. Let the bells ring out the,
on Christmas morning and let you
heart beat in unison as you know
that you have brought JOY unto His lit
tie ones. Children are Gods own an
gels sent by Him to brighten om
world, and what we do for these mes
sengers from the sky, especially a
that time of the year which belong.
to them. will come back to us three
fold, like unto bread cast upon the
waters.
Remember, the first Christmas gift,
were laid at the feet of child-a poo,
child of humble parents. Give you,
gifts then to the humble, to the poor
TO the helpless, and thus will your owr
Christmas be a happy one.-Ladies
Home Journal.