The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1900-12-21
oHRIsrmAsTIDE As AsHOLIDAY.

oHRTsTmAsTIDE as A.HOLIDAY.
Christmas is a worlds hOliday-the
Jubilee of mankind. The extent Of its
observance is widening year by year,
and, as time rolls on, is destined to
extend "to earth's remotest bounds. -
Tt IS hOnored in observance by more
Widely-scattered millions, by more
nations, by more races and by more
tribes Of men than any other holiday,
any other feast day, or memorial day
on our great, round world. 1t is OBJ
served alike even by nations at war.
The BOer and the Briton in South
Africa, and the American and Filipino
IN the Philippines viii keep this holy
day, and think of better things
The Laplander clad in furs sits by
the hearth in the light Of the blazing
yule log and the expectant children
are about him. The Brazilian IN palm
leaf hat and clad in whitest linen,
accompanied by wife and children, uR-
der the blazing sun repairs to the
''festa" in the plaza. The German on
the Rhine, the American on the plains
Of Kansas attends the village church,
to see the happy children and the
Christmas tree. The Swiss in the
shadow Of the Alps, the Hawaiian
under the palm; the wayfarer housed
at the inn on the mountain top, the
mariner on the bosom Of the storm
tossed deep, anremember Christmas, at
home or abroad, present OF absent
A hush comes over the world, even
In the city full, and wherever possible
there is pause. and busy wheels are
still. The cathedral bells are Ginning
and the brilliantly lighted streets are
thronged with young and old in best
attire, all fastening to some seen Of
JOY. The poor are remembered, the
orphan and the waif are gathered in
to enjoy at least one happy hour and
forget the woes, the weeping, the mis-
cry of life in the sunlight of smiles
and bliss. Absent ones are remembered
and the mail and express bring pres
ents, bundles, bags and bales that bind
In blessedness both remitter and re-
ceiTer.
A custom worldwide, a custom that
stills for a time the noise of battle
when foes are friends, when in the
hush the prayer Of the widow and the
fatherless is heard and mOrtaIs are
ministering angels, a custom that calls
the wanderer and hayward to a remem-
brance Of hiIdhoOd's Joy and innocence.
that binds up broken hearts and heals
the wounds Of souls, when better in
stincts, pred Ominate and men delight TO
bless and not to curse, when the hater
smiles and the miser gives, such a Gus
TOM SO benefcent, so angelic. so heav-
enly calls for some .philosOphic and
reasonable explanation.
The answer may be anticipated. Tt is
the story Of Bethlehem and the Christ
child The philosophy is the teaching
OF Him who "spake as never man
spake;" who said ait is more blessed to
give than to receives" and whose life
vas the living embodiment Of what He
taught The mystery is solved BY His
precept and example. HE loved Us
and gave himself for US InHis apo
theOsis @He assembled up on high, led
captivity captive and gave gifts to
men; yea, also to the rebellious, that
God might dwell among them" VIII
the world ever abandon the keeping Of
TINS anniversary Of His birthg No.
Glory, in the highest, gIoryi
AOrtals, list. the wOndrous story!
Born in Bethlehem,
Is Savior. Christ, the Lord
Fulfilled is now the prophets word;
Praise sc ElOimI
Ever new, and ever old,
Vas the story angels told,
As they sang,
To the humble shepherds keeping
Floczs. while al the world was sleeping.
tn the heavens rang.
Peace On earth, good win to men,,
Angels cease their singing, when
Tasting cane,
The shepherds saw The wOndrous boy,
Ana the mother fun ofioy:
And His name-JESUS.
PATRIOTIC Renaissance.
The Mckinley administration is not
having IS smooth sailing as was ex-