Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1893-12-22
A Merry Christmas.
A. Christmas plav, and m .ke good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once a year.

Al Christmas plar, and m .ke good cheer,
For Christmas comes but once Il year.
Again the christian world lie prepar-
ing to celebrate the natal day Of Him
who came upon earth to save man
hind. The great feast Of Christmas
counted by the human mode Of calculat
iug tune is Bsw saeieni. but the pleasing
custom Of honlrins the anniversary Of
the birth of Christ. the Lnrd God. is
ever new. and the heart Of every chris
tlau rows gay aud joyfal as the time
approaches when all may with fervent
souls give thanks to the Oliver of all good
that they are vt among ;he living on
earth to ch,nt in honor Of His coming the
sacysd anthem GLORY, be to God
on high" "a merry Christmas" has re-
sounded year after year, over aud over
again since the death Of our Saviour,
in long aud uubroken cries Of gladness
the world over aud will resound forever
un;ib. the great day of reckoning is at
Rand' There is music in the chant
sad in the intonstion Of every
word q comfort and consolation when
iAe stereOtyped extension of the phrase
sOmes from the depths Of sincere heart.
We love to hear the chant be-
cause i. is remindful of the return Of
the anniversary of the great feast-a
time when the cares and sorrows Of life
are forgotten and our hearts made hap
~ in the pleasurabls thought that there
10 born unto the world of human flesh, a
God, to save ue,k and pining souls
We cherish the kindly salutation be-
cause it marks q new epoch in this
oheckered life. Our enemies in Of
ftring the timely greeting mean to for
give as. for the wrongs We may have
done them, and our friends to unite
stronger than ever the sacred bonds OF
friendship and of chris ian affection.
Christmas day i, the feast day Of all
the world save the pagan.
The churches of al religious denomi-
nations celebrate the occasion with great
pomp and ceremony. The Roman
GathoIic Church ushers in the day by
the celebration of three masses. one at
mi might, the seconl at early dawn and
the third in the morning; other de-
nomin atoms do not begin their service
50 early in the day. but celebrate the &C.
casion with equally as significant devo-
tons and earnest prayer.
The old folks and heads of families
gather around them in festive reunion
their "kilh and KIM" dispelling all
thought Of past and impending misfor-
tune, and in mirthful. yet innocent pleas
res, revel in tue gooi things of the sea.
son, AMID mutual interchange o
good wishes for happier future.
= The Ii tie ones -cherubs of earth
following q short morning prayer al
soke pious parent or guardians knee,
observe the feast with nm early wild
hunt for the we'll tille4 stocking from the
beautifully supplied pack Of the proven
bal old Santa Ctaa%. aud pursue theil
good fortune in childish glee with a look
Mt the bountifuA ''yew bnugh," lighted
with tapers and hung with every con-
ceivable toy AMI p!ay-thing. Their cup
Of joy grows full and upon their young
minds remembran ,e of the birth of the
Infant in swaddling CLOTHES is ma lie last
lug.
In none Of these festivities can the
INDEPENDENT directly participate. bul
indirectly it cheerfully joins in all
and with the best intentions and goot
will it wishes all 4 MERRY CHRIST.
MAS.