Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-25
THOUGHTS CHRISTMAS SUGGEST.
what the Day sisninss and How II should
he Observed.


Do ODeervcos
written for the Dispatch.)
Christmas Of 1894 was ushered In Mt
early dawn this morning. and a retro
spectiye view will recall many other occa-
sions OF pleasure. OF joyful scenes. meet
ing friends with radiant, smiling. and
happy faces as they gave and received
tokens OF remembrance. To some II viii
bring to mind, doubtless. an occasion
when the gala season was saddened by
some great grief which took away all the
promised good to man. To those whose
hair has been silvered by the frosts OF
many winters the backward glance Is OF
a DIR. Jekyl and Mr.. Hyde character. at
one time living over again the revels,
the fascinations of social pleasures, the
bliss of loves young dream. then with
saddened face rises lost opportunities OF
good that might have been done. OF bad
temper displayed upon small provocation.
Of unkind words spoken In haste. OF
opportunities neglected OF rendering kind
acts and bestowing charity upon de-
serving objects-all lost never TO be re-
called.
II is long time since the great message
sent by angel heralds broke the stiffness
Of the Bethlehem night. and we have not
yet reached the full realization of peace
on earth and good will to all men," Rea-
son and religion unite in the celebration
OF Christmas. A years toll lies behind
US. and before beginning again the work
Of the world II is well to stop for while
and, with the family about us. with the
children happy in the light of Christmas
morning. to rest from care and toll and,
count over our blessings. 1t is difficult
ha han
with real happiness. to put aside, to
thrust away, the cares which have fol-
lowed us a whole year round, but the
truth is that, though We give up the best
part OF life to "bettering our condition"
materially, the best things OF life are not
gained by taking thought Of tomorrow.
IL Is the best things that Christmas comes
to tell of again. 1t Is the things of the
spirit which are worth most, whether we
know II or not. Happiness is not de-
pendent on the things that perish. but on
love. on obedience. on sympathy. 1t mat
tiers not much what our worldly goods are
but II matters greatly what our wives and
mothers. our children and grandchildren
think Of us. We do not get happiness by
forethought. Peace and contentment,
sympathy for others in JOY as well as
sorrow. an unexpected pleasure. an unin-
territorial kindness. aid given where 1t
was not looked for some one day passed
with friend-it is these experiences
which enrich life. Christmas stands for
all this.
The first Christmas morning in Gallilee
called the shepherds from their focks
to listen to the songs OF the angels That
anthem was GLORY TO God in the highest
and on earth peace, good will to men"
The wise men Of the East followed the
star to Bethlehem and left their costly
gifts OF frankincense and myrrh. That
Christmas called the world away from the
merely material things OF life into a
higher atmosphere OF faith, OF courage,
Of peace and good will. That child, when
he reached manhood, taught men to pray,
not for abundance. not for wealth, but
simply for the days bread. II Christ
should come again this Christmas His
grief would not be so great over the
sin of the world as over the joyless con-
dtion OF his own followers. The children,
at least. have claim to this holiday,
and Il should be made so full OF happiness
that II will cast over all the coming year
a light OF it's own. The very best thing
you can give your children Is the memory
OF a happy childhood. and a child's hap
piness depends very little on riches. Sur
rounded with love and care he knows no
difference between much and little. and
we should not embitter privations by
cheerlessness. by moroseness, by indiffer-
ence to childish pleasure and childish
hope.
That the Dispatch and its readers will
enjoy this day fully and heartily is the
wish OF JOSEPH H. SHEPHERD.