The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-12-21
CHRISTMAS.
40 Christmas, Merry Christmas;
Is it really come again?n

40 Christmas, Merry Christmas;
Is it really come agang"
AS we grow older how rapidly the
years chase each other and bring US
nearer to the borders of that undis-
covered country from "whose bourne
no traveller returns As we mount
the ladder of life the steps grow
shorter with each recurring year. We
can now look back tothe days of child
hood, those happy moments of life,
and remember that there was moth
ing SO slow in coming as Christmas.
First, this joyous period was counted
by months, then days were used in
reckoning the time, finally it would
come down to hours, and at last to
minutes. How much We would give
to call back those precious moments
once more. Indebted by contact with
the rough, hard, cruel world. and
with only the pure thoughts learned
at our mothers knee, we eagerly re-
peated the beautiful story of the
birth of our Redeemer. Such a re-
prospective view is indeed vision OF
IL past paradise. But years have
brought "a minor in the CAROL" Add,
ed responsibilities tend to drive senti
ment from our hearts. The worlTs
bitter lesson has been engraved in
dellibly upon the mind and personal
contact with vile human nature has
almost effaced the beautiful story OF
Bethlehem until the recurring holi'
day calls back the old memories OF
childhood.
What changes have the past twelve
months wrought? Human nature,
like the shifting sands upon the shore,
is constantly changing its position.
To all outward appearances we may
be the same, but no one but the Al,
mighty can see what wonderful trans
formations have been wrought within
US. We are either better or worse.
The ceaseless battle between good
and evil which has been waged since
the. fall of Adam has resulted in either
one or the other gaining a temporary
ascendency. Only the recording angel
of life can tell which; and his books
are sealed until the day of judgment,
go far Us the outside worlds concerned
The individual responsibility rests
with ones own self and is not for
others to judge.
There is no more beautiful senti
ment than that taught by the birth
of our Saviour. He left throne Oh
High as willing sacrifice thai
through His suffering all the world
might be saved. Nothing can appeal
to us more strongly than His humble
advent into this world, and thai
humility which characterized Hit
life while in the human flesh. From
Christ two striking lessons can be
learned. Unselfishness and modest
and humble estimate of ones own
worth. Possessed of these two at.
tributes, how much nearer perfection
would mortal man attain? There are
many other pleasures in store for him
who would attempt to follow in the
footsteps of his Master. The happi'
ness of this world is not from sin.
Human nature is not SO constituted as
to permit of the permanent enjoy.
ment of anything but a righteous life.
Worldliness may have its attractive
baubies and gaudy display, but like
peoples red, you snatch the flower,
it's bloom is shed" and only loneliness
and the miserable memory OF blighted
blossoms remain.
Now that this merry season is upon
US let US throw aside for the time the
tolls, cares and ambitions of life, and
allow our inclinations TO lea / us back
to the days of our childhood. We can
at least, be young again in spirit, il
not in years; enter into all the oldtine
pleasures and cali back their pleasant
memories. Remember that not all
the pleasures come from receiving.
We eau derive more genuine enjoy
ment from making others happy than
by selfishiy endeavoring to corral all
the pleasures for ourselves.
1t is more blessed to give than to re-
ceive; nor should the gift be gagged
by its intrinsic value; the true en-
joyment is derived from the intention
of the giver, and dollars and cents
can never represent the true worth
of this. The widow with her mite
can make as many happy as the rich
man with his millions. One heritage
we all possess in common-a kind,
sympathetic heart. Our natures are
nat urally warm and tender and 1t is
only selfishness, which is 50 inter-
mixed in our nature, that sometimes
causes this vital member of our bodies
to become like marble. So now, while
the holiday season is with us, let us
be our better selves; and even if we
cannot make precious gifts We can, at
least, show something of that same
spirit of unseIfishness that our
Saviour displayed, when he came
upon earth, and blest it by His pres
enee.