Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-12-19
CHRIST AS
THOUGHTS ::

| THOUGHTS :" we strive to let its
overflow touch hearts
and places where joy and abundance are
unknown.
1t takes possession of us, this recurring
revelation of what the great birthday means,
Mothers, filling the stockings of their little
ones beside the nursery fires, remember bare,
half-frozen feet uncovered in the Wintry
SHOWS, and seeing the jolly, rosy faces over
flowing with delight in the light Of Christ
mas morning, they are glad that little
grimy and hungerpinched children, un-
known to them are somewhere in distant
quarters receiving some JOY of their giving,
sent by faithful hands. For this one day
they have a ssterly realization of what it
means to see a child suffer and be power
less to relieve.
The man of fashion and of the world, hap
penng to catch glimpse of tattered shoe
black staring into bright shop, or a group
of dirty neWsboys fighting for bits OF ever
green dropped at church door, will feel
a sudden impulse to Join the workers at
public Christmas tree, and for those hours
will give out the charm which wins him ia
vor at many stately home, in order to give
Zest to the merriment of the worthy gather
ing in some great hall. Something tugs at
his heart, half-formed thought aWakens
in his mind: 81 really must do something for
these poor little mites! | daresay a few dol
lars, now and then, would do "A great deal
for them, when Christmas is over" The
struggling embryo Of brotherhood in his
heart is nearly strong enough to live, but
the environment of tomorrow will stltle 1t.
1t is good to think, says the New ork
Evening Post, of the Joy of the fair outside
show of the holiday; all the glitter and
brightness Of hosptable tables with dear
ones gathered, old and young, about them;
it is pleasant to think of the jolly schOolboy
and the gentle grandmother, side by side.
1t warns and cheers to feel the cordial
handshake of friend or receive greeting
of remembrance across the dividing sea- 1t
rouses dear memories and touches sealed
fountains to hear the old melodies familiar
since childhood, and ever new, as true things
always are 1t is like reviving wine to one
that is weary to find, though absent, we are
not forgotten.
But above this rises the ennobling infu-
ence which overeaps barriers and demarca
tons, and reaches out Il generous, uphtt-
ING hand to those who are bound down by
the hard fortune of a degraded life. The
spirit of Christmas is the spirit of the uni
yersal brotherhood of the race. 1t may
seem small thing for a rich man to send
his poor neighbor a dinner, but it blesses
twice; he that gives and he that takes is
blessed Even though the giVer's thoughts
rose no higher than that he would divide
his overabundance with the hungry, his
unconscious act has taken first step to ac-
knowledging his brothers claim. Share
with me" is the unspoken meaning OF his
gift 81 cannot be comfortable alone in my
wealth. We are of the same race, begotten
by the same Divine Father; it is our Elder
Brothers birthday. Let us keep the feast"
Christina Rosetti, whose fervent heart is
like warming flame to colder ones, sings
this tender song:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Stars and Angels gave the Sign.
Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love to God and all men,
Love for gift and plea and Sign.
Many custom, firm through centuries of
use, may die out; full many thing men
once revered may be covered out of sight
by the dust of the EARTH but the more
humanity seeks the welfare and the uplift-
ing of man, the more true and loyal will be
the honor we give to Christmas Day.
NA
Once again has New Years day come