Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-12-24
TNE cNRlsJwAs CHEER.

The anniversary OF the Christ cniioss
hirth has returned once again and the
,,a<,n,e OF all nations observe the event
An 4 manner betting the principles for
which Christ lived. Whether myth,
man or miracle Christ has by his life
taught the lesson OF brotherly love to
all nations and today. almost 1000 years
afterward, nearly every civilized nation
ON earth is worshiping the principles OF
Christs teachings and celebrating the
anniversary by acts Of applied broth
erly love.
The historical color OF Christmas day
and the customs which have grown up
Tor it's observance make 1t the most
beautiful holiday Of the calendar. In the
first place it does not commemorate the
death OF. some great man Of nation, It
Is not . day OF rejoicing for one ma
celebrate day OF triumph at arms, it
is not a day or rejoicing for one ma
ton and humiliation for another. it Is
day cherished by all nations as the
birth day Of the one great man who
preached Peace on earth and good will
to men"
AS the principles kept alive by the OBJ
servance OF Christmas day are eyerlast-
ing the manner of its celebration has
become fitting. It is q day Of universal
I benevo1ence. Some preacher has said
5 that Every mans life is first the prep
arataon Of gift. and then the quest Of
ono at whose feet he may lay It And
frst the star pauses over wonan's
brow, and to her he opens his treasures.
But that is not the end The mar and
the woman are but fellow pilgrims. and
together they follow the star. Again It
pAuses. now over . cradle, and upon the
child OF their love they seek to lavish
their treasure But again the star
moves on Ito rays rest upon great
nultitude." Which is true. The BEN
evidence OF q man to the woman he
loves or to the children OF his lodns Is a
beautiful thing and never Will great
teachers tire preaching upon it, but
such benevolence is known TO all animal
life. The beasts Of the jungle protect
and provide and even love their mates
and their young but the lesson that
Christ taught was benevolence to an
men, and this is the form taken by the
customs Of Chrlstmas time. Thought
full considera ton and kindness for the
poor and unfortunate, kindly remem-
brances Of friends whose hearts are
made glad by the attention, are the rule
OF Christmas ddngs
Being day OF applied Christianity, Of
Ectual living Of the teaching Of Christ It
is no wonder that the day has largely
been consigned to the children, for 1t is
peculiar trait in human nature OBJ
Hervable under the most forlorn condi-
tons that no matter how black or how
hard may have been the life of the par
ent II is always the desire Of the black
est that their children may grow up In
the beautiful light of right doing. For
this reason Christmas customs have
been made largely children's joys and
dreary and meaningless indeed is the
Christmas where children are not
known. 1t is beautiful day, day
when millions Of little children are
taught the Joys OF giving.to others and
as an object lesson are allowed the ex-
perience Of receiving gifts themselves.
A superficial view OF the Santa Claus
letters written by the children might
lead one to think that Christmas to the
modern child had become merely sor-
did. selfish desire for goods, but this is
not true. Every one who knows a child
knows that before and above the desire
for toy has been the JOY OF planning a
present for mamma, papa, brother. sis