The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-25
CHRISTMAS GIFTS AND GIVING


The best expression of Christmas is
in the spirit of practicing that immor-
tai truth: 1T is more blessed to give
than to receive" That is d text to
stumble over for those of narrow souls
and selfish spirit. To give away is to
part with something desired. 1t goes
to another and leaves forever the pos
session of the giver. 1t is text at
war with selfishness-a text that cuts
across the natural desire of holding
and keeping. But while selfishness
stumbles at this text, the many who
live more to give pleasure to those
they love than to receive good gifts
from others, realize that it is a prec-
ious text, and learn it's truth by prac-
ticing it. THE way to learn how to
do thing is to do it, The way to
learn the truth of the best promises
in the Good Book is to follow its pre-
cepts. This is truer, perhaps, of the
declaration, 1T is more blessed to
other text in the Bible. But there are
thousands and tens of thousands of
men and wonderland children, too,
for that matter,-who look for their
Christmas joy in the happiness they
will give to others by their simple re-
membranes. The experience of
every parent is that he lives for his
children Bill Arp wasn't far wrong
when he said that UP to forty a man
has ambitions for himself; after forty
he lives for his children. 1t is partic-
ularly true at the Christmas season,
that the children are uppermost in the
thought of all grown-up people. To
see them happy, to add to their JOY,
to assist in making it a time of hap
piness without alloy--it is for this that
the grown-up people love the day and
its memories. None are too old to
forget the ecstasy of their own youth
at Christmas and to see in the unre-
strained pleasure of the children
themselves again about their mothers
knee. Other sweet and holy
come in ripper years, but with every
joy comes its corresponding RESPONSE
bility that puts it under restraint.
Who does not wish for the abandon
of perfect bliss that comes to the
child as he gleefully opens his stock
ing on Christmas morning? 1T COM
eth not back again" Conjure ever so
longingly, the youthful delight at
Christmas cannot be brought back to
any man or woman. The nearest APP
proach to it is to enter into the pleas
ures of the boys and girls who are
finding the same delight that thrilled
all of us when our faith in Santa
Claus was firm and serene. There is
no prettier picture in all art than will
be seen in thousands of homes today
when the aged grandfather,
aged grandmother, mother AMI
father. and grown-up relatives forget
that they are only children grown
tall'', and join in the innocent merri
ment that gladdens the hearts and
brightens the lives of the children.
But there is a pleasure in giving at
Christmas also that is not only more
blessed than receiving, but that is
also part of the spirit of the day that
no one should neglect. Do we find
pleasure in giving to those we love, OF
exchanging remembrances with our
friends? it is well. But that is not
the giving that gives the sweetest
pleasure and most satisfies the soul.
The giving that doubly blesses is that
which embraces the poor and the
afflicted and those who are in prison.
"Inasmuch as We did it unto the least
of these My little ones, We did it unto
Me-, are the words of Him in honor
of whose birth Christmas is day of
worldwide rejoicing.
peace ON Earth; Goodwill to Men,"
These are the words that accompanied
the announcement of the birth of
Christ-they are the words of the in
duction OF Christmas day It has been
new world since the star shone in the
East and the Master came TO teach
men the new Gospel that giving and
service were more acceptable and more
blessed than receiving and being sery-
ed. All the good, all the altruism, all
GASTORIA FOrInfaRS and Children,