San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1894-12-24
CHRISTMAS GREETING.

its message of "Peace on Earth and
Good Will to Men," in recognition
OF the season so long consecrate to
the advent Of the herald angels
and their song. There will be no
question in the hearts of those to
whom this message comes as to
the historical accuracy Of the date
assigned to the coming Of the
Christ Child. 1t is not the body
but the soul, the substance Of that
grand proclamation Of "Peace" be-
tween the Gods and men, that sur
wives in every Christmas carroll
and lives in every Christmas an
them. Antedating the Christian
era several centuries, the Deem
Der celebrations in honor Of Saturn
were no doubt the foundations Of
the feast that for more than fifteen
hundred years has been kept in all
Christian communities in COM
memoration of the advent in
Judea OF the Christ Child, whose
coming and whose cradle
story have lecome historic
above all the cradle stories of the
race. The decorations in the
churches were adapted from the
decorations in the temples ded
icated to Saturn, and it was this
fact no doubt that led our stern
English Puritans at one time
to pronounce their anathemas
against the churches that should
so observe the Christmas season.
This, however, has fallen into des-
uetude, and only the hallowing,
softening memories of the touching
story of the manger-cradle in Beth
lehem are preserved. To the keep.
ers of a Christmas with no relig.
ious significance in it, there is the
old German and Saxon idea, the
day of feasting and gifts, the pres
ence of Santa Claus or Kris Kringle,
the giver Of gifts to all good chill
drep. Thus it seems that in some
form or other the day has its sig
nificance all over the civilized
world, and this 25th Dece Der has
for all lands and all nations and all
hearts its own peculiar significance.
The LIGHT has no controversy as
to how any shall observe it, but it
commends its observance to all,
believing that in the warmth and
housekeeping and tenderness and
unselfishness Of the real Christmas
spirit great "Peace on Earth and
Good Will to men" will sure
ly follow. This is the day wht n
all dissensions should come to
an end and the bitterness of
the year die out in it's "Peace
on Earth" This is the day when
in answer to the echoing shout Of
"Good will to men" all i'll will
should die at the threshold OF that
good will, and all homes and
hearts rejoice In better and broad
er and diviner idea of human
brotherhood. This is the day when
under the light and warmth and
luxury OF our home trees, we should
remember those who are on the
outside and give to them as we are
able some Of that which we so free
ly have. May this benediction of
the Christmas time drop into all
wounded hearts as balm, into all
mourning hearts as consolation
and into all happy hearts as tidings
of great joy. The LIGHT sends to
all its great family, in this and in
other lands, its heartiest greetings
on the return Of another Happy
Christmas. May this Christmas
be to each one of you all such day
Of Peace, that it's memories shall
shed peace over your hearts, your
homes and your loved ones for the
year that will come ere another
Christmas Day dawns ION your
lives.
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