Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-23
Social and Otherwise.
IAn iAems of social interest will be gladly noted in this column fl sent to Mrs. George c. Ball, 21sI Highland avenue.I

Once more the star of Bethlehem sheds its radiance upon the worldi Once more the song of angels comes to listening earsl The watching shepherds upon the green hill- sides of Judea seem 10 live again. Along the dim horizon are once more seen the eastern Magi, bringing from the farAway orient gold, frankincense and myrrh, to lay beside the humble manager. The olive trees of Palestine send out upon the mid night air a fragrance which has hoated down the centuries, and all nature trem- bles with the tenderness of the time. For a sweet, new babe sleeps in his manager cradle, unconscious of the adoration of earth and skyi Each year brings to us afresh this beautiful story of Christmas Day, and it grows the sweeter with each telling. Years but add to it's glory, and make tenderer the palnos of 1t all. We never weary of it's beauty, and as long as time endures the tongues of men ana of angels will unite in that glorious anthem, "Peace on earth, good will towards men, becanse to us ia child Is born, son IS given, '' and His name Is Emanuel, which being interpreted is God with us.
 The child, the star, and the song! And things in earth and things in heaven awake to pay homage to this Trinity. And thus il shall ever be, until the universe IS filled with the glory, brightness and sweet ness of them all, and the babe shall come in kingly power at the second advent.
 
 But with the songs of angels there are mingled today many voices that once made happiest Christmas cheer around our own firesides. Some of those who heard Christ mas chimes ring out a year ago, standing hand in hand with us and with hearts lull Of love and hope, now keep their first ristu bpvnnd inc From The heights perchance they watch us and send down to our hungry hearts messages or love upon the wings of the night wind; or, who knows but they come close to us at such time and bring to our souls holy comfort. To many of us this Christmas tide the echo of voices which made music for us year ago will come above the chant of cnoirs, above the peal of bells and from every sgu of joy will spring mem ories of the loved and lost. But with this yearning sorrow comes the hope of another time, when the babe Of Bethlehem shall wipe all tears away.
 Ana, oh, the joy that Christmas brings to old and young! The beautiful drawing closer of all human ties at this season of Christ's appearingl We meet our friends and kindred in the great crowds that throng the marts of trade, each one intent on some generous, helpful deed! We jostle and crowd each other only to receive a smile and kindly speech. We hail each other with merry jest, and time nor duty prevents a happy reply. We find our friends and neighbors at the counters deeply perplexed with desires and tastes which far exceed their purses, and our hearts go out to them ID warmest sym patLy, for each one of us suffers likewise. We all discuss our necessary economies in the jolliest way; we deplore our abbreviated finances in the most unanimous manner. And, after hours of fruitess search for
 
 purses deny, we, in the most resigned and Christian-like way, purchase something which will indicate our love to some dear one, even if 1t is only a memento of the Christmas tide. We are only atoms in tue great, rushing crowd at such a season, but we are all better, If poorer, tor this glorious festivall
 And then the dear children who smile up