The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-25

ton Of the approach OF the Yuetld .i, U
Counters are piled high with q Z won--
drous assortment IA Of shopping tempta--
& tons. ass III Ii 4.
Long professions OF bundle laden 55rne zen
and women and hIldren I'LL the streets
and pass YEARLY, but nthusla s.! stic al
from, shop to shop. i
Here and there a Swaxen Christ child child
stretches forth his chubby hands and and
beams "a kindly smile 5
iii The beneficent, N rubicund ~ countcnance
\ Of old Santa Claus Is also beginning TO
greetsus In our journeyin bout the city's
streets, N
In every home there are busy fingers
i 5fnshioning Il mysterious creations stealth
lily, which arc hidden q wa when cert ain
members tho family appea or display
4 ed swithyprlde and secretiye " hispers to
others, who are caut mot IT, g Il tsSll,.
4 forGiteis q surprise. $ S
The signs OF the times all point TO the
looming Christmas Year after year some
4 cynical crea ture spri ngs into hearing with
1.-THE sta cement that Christina 81 81 wing ard
even Christmas observance Is going Sout ST 81
4 fashion. aB rs Al Il sS ;3E}
The statement Is absurd because u is
Isfounded upon falsity. Christmas obser-
Vance Sis not a Il mere fashio n.i5 Is far.
more. IL Is an established institution as
4 old al the Christian world EN- Sa yjS
il 4 It began IN ] erusa lem 1901 yea RS ago
with the birth Of a Baby y In q humble
l#manger.8 "a tS 4 ISL
| &. When. a fashion has endured for nearly,
i 1000 years IT. will TIA Ike more than The
cry Of cynlc to annihllate M VII
In the rush Y and q hustle and practical
unsentlmentality Of tho modern lie the
/ observance OF Christmasiis a. saving grace,
\ and a righteous need. It softens the hard.
1 ness OF n life; It keeps alive he re mems
brance 8 of the brotherhood Of mani3$lt
II c,,rbs the selflshnessM OF creation, 3S
j f9s Hard s tho heart and iva rped n he ma
/ sture which feels no warmth. and eXpan-8
EsIon and frlendliness at the Christmas Il'l
4 season. Ky IN s95 5is
AS long as there are children in the.
world, Just so long must me spirit I, o
Christmas remain In observance q and the
beautiful. conf orting smytttof q ge nerous
Santa Claus be cherished sS 5. IAN
AS long as there arc tho poor and the
sick and unhappy With ns, Just so long
i must there be a plembrance OF q les lyal
which, In Its eligious and hlma n s!gnl-,
3flcance, stands as the greatest an GIN
Iftendom.
AS long as there Is any Kindness and
Hove and friendship left In the human
Ihearit, Just SO long must It find express
sion In tho remembrance of Christina,
But It As tho spirit OF Tie seas VII
lis OF the utmost Importance, The ex-
change Of greetln gs, OF 81 IT'S, IS custom
full Of beauty when inspired BY the heart
Performed perfunclorly 7. ana rs 1uha,
OF an uncongenial custom, II degradss
jtho day and disllonors the cause,
Far better Il friendly handolasp ana g
hearty Merry Christmas than precious
Jewels given grudgingly. To the natnree5
I,that rings true, 1t Is far less the Yalu 70
| than the reason Of the ren1embr an I 9.
10 give because one has receives 81
because one hopes to. or because one
feels that one must, Is not to respect
| the real significance OF Christmas
II Is d season Which should tnculcateS