The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1896-12-25
CHRISTMAS ONCE MORE

iCuilStiuuS. IlOW lHuCn IlllS mean
to childhood, how the little one!
eyes dance and sparkle and talk il
hlanguage sweeter than the softes
hotes of the aolion harp, as they
anticipate the coming of this hey.
lay in their young lives. No one
pan appreciate the pleasures o.
bis world who has no children tc
4 rattle of Santa Claus. True the
4 parts OF parents are often bruised
nd lacerated by the knowledge
nat their own dear ones can not
talize the visit Of dear old Santa,
account of poverty. But then
now little it takes after all; what
small gifts-if from the mythical,
merry old man they come-will
ahsfy and gild the little faces
with sunshine, trace in the eyes a
halo OF Heavenly radiance that
makes one glad to be able to de-
priye themselves, if that be the
Pniy means of making the chill
Pren happy.
All, old Santa Claus! dear old
Santa Claus! but for thee MANY a
Cloud would hover where silvery
5Dlllows reign; many a condition
would be sorrowful where 10y and
@0ntentment--even tho for q time
Pnly-are supreme.
And then there should be a holy
reverence for Christmas. This
knronlcles an event which is more
Importance than any other in all
Freation. 1t marks an advent to
snlch we now owe all the privi-
eges OF society, law and the peace
ul condition of the Universe, and
ne rules regulating it's govern
aent, under the tranquil conditions
fto-day. Of this event the an
els sang to the shepherds by
light in voices rich in glorious
ora, and sublime in symphony.
never was such chorus heard as
%lIupon the ears of these humble
enders Of sheep, out on that Ju-
Pean mountain. How the stars
eemed to be striving to send back
n accompaniment; how the soft
light winds hushed and kept ST.
ent while the melody was echoing
nd reaching, strain to strain, note
note, as they leaped and danced ,
md sang,
tiory to God in the highest, and on
u&ftn peace, good will towards men,"
All, what song, what chorus
q the ears of humanity it fell as )
&c harbinger of a new condition.
new reign, new era. In the a
earts OF mankind they found an $
oode and told a story, the charm G
which no tongue nor pen had n
yer equalled in power, comfort
lfloy. In the temple of the soul
ney rested and attuned to respon- p
I've music the tender cord of life -,
ne gossamer skeln of love which a
lnlted earth with Heaven, human tie
~ with God. Oh, the joy to the III
loui which followed this love song o .,
Rtnose choristers divine, who were or
nging OF earthly things, of an IF
1tniy condition. Yea repeat, si'
|"ulory to God in the highest, ~ "a
10 on earth peace, good will ed
pwards men, file
1and tnere tcas peace on earth and oV
GOD will towards men. But at LII
nat a cost; what a sacrifice. We
'no now enjoy the privileges of
lvllization should in meekness. VI
qmility and prayer offer and feel Oh
~setly and strongly bound to err sill
y humanity because it is by the sty
'lals, suffering and crucihxion of IN
~ Holy one of whom the angels H. H.
ang to the shepherds, that we en- irc
2 our privileges to-day. spt
Let us not, therefore, in riotous ga
'nduct or gluttenous appease of ~ =.
lpetite spend this holy day; i shs
|eler duty is ours to act and do fioI