The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1899-12-21
The Old--Old Lesson Of Love.

With the flrst deep husn OF the
approaching Sabbath midnight, |
softly and silently as the dew that
steals down in the bosom OF the
violet, or as the footballs of an
angel moving in q path paved
with liquid light, the Christmas |
of 1899 will fall over and around
the world The anniversary of that
morning when Jerusalem, in the
ripeness OF her glory, was illumi-
mated by a star which led the wise
mon to the manger in the stable
where the infant Jesus lay-the
anniversary of that holy night
when Upon the cold, crisp air fell
these words of ponderous import:
Sc For unto you is born this day,
In the city of David, q Savior,
which is Christ the Lord land
when mid the increasing crimson
splendor of that star, the flashing
Of white wings and the coming
and going ofradient forms, voices,
mellowed by distance, were heard
chanting in unison: ''Glory to
God in the highest: and on earth
peace, good will toward men,"
It has been said with much
force, and with as much of truth,
that no anniversary in the calen-
dar is so crowded with love and
hope as is Christmas Day. The
little child wakes on Christmas
morning with its heart full to over
flowing with gladness, and by
every gift in stocking, or beside
cradle or bed, is taught anew the
old, old lesson of love. Husband
and wife, brother and sister, lover
and sweetheart, friend and friend,
as they receive their gifts are re-
minded once more that love is not
q dream, but q reality, and q
reality which grows more vital,
more precious and more enduring
with the years.
Christmas is hallowed with love
and hope. All of its associations
and all its influences are of the
hest kind. Itreunites families and
friends. It awakens kindly and
generous sentiments. It promotes
peace and good will. It gives q
| festival for the homes Of all, and
to the homeless it brings one day
| in the year of gladness and plenty
Low and sweet as the lullaby Of
the infant; soft and rich as the
mourning Of the ring dove; sac
and thrilling as the wailing of the
night wind; wild and high as The
call Of the bugle; grand and aw.
full as the roar Of the ocean, thu
blended waves of love and charit,
, will beat against and around tn.
, world on this Christmas anniver'
i sary-telling the old, old story o
love.
r "God bless us every one!"-
} That is Christmas. And if it hal
not exactly been our Christmas 0
j the past, let it be, at least on
Christmas of this year. This i
Christmas in it's truest sense an.
its highest and most Divine as
. pect. And it should be to eacl
and all our Christmas of 1899.
81 That our readers and friends
$ all!-may make it such, is tn
], best Christmas salutation we coul,
0 offer them. Make it such-it vii
Q bring the harmonies of your HON
: life in unison with the highest in
+ telligence Of the human mind
: Take this flower of love with yo1
b to the altar whore you worship
. let it adorn the walls Of your fire
: sides--its fragrance win lull, war;
: and gladden. every heart and it
: mystic voice, blushing into type
d of living beauty, will become til
: harmonies Of our hamlets, and II
: pseate bloom the pride Of ever
t household.
Mrs. A. 8. Dale, OF Grand Cane