Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1905-12-21
The Spirit of
Christmas
By DIR. r N. TZPPY

OF all the years festival days, Christ
mas is peculiarly the festival of love.
Easter commentaries the resurrection
of Jesus. 1t is our festival Of life,
divine and immortal; for the power
that raised Christ from the dead has
passed into the lives of the millions.
1t comes with peculiar appropriate
ness at the season of the year when
nature is awakening to spring and
everywhere are warm winds, sunshine,
growth and beauty.
Thanksgiving is our festival Of Di-
vine Providence, celebrating the low
ing care of God over all that He has
made. 1t at the time when, in
agricultural communities, the earth's
fruitage has been garnered and the
years work draws to a close. 1t is a
good time in all pursuits to close the
books with God, and to bring to Him
the only possible return for His benefi-
cence, the gratitude and appreciation
OF our hearts.
But Christmas is the climax of the
Christian year. 1t is our festival of
love. and as such is it not beautifully
fitting that the day should be cele-
brated by the bestowment of gifts?
1t is as natural for love to give as for
birds to sing and for flowers to grow.
The spirit of Christmas is the spirit
of giving. This spirit takes hold upon
all classes of people, carrying into
every soul the sweetness and purity of
loves ministry. 1t lavishes gifts in
homes of wealth and it finds a way in
the direst poverty,
Christmas was the day when God
gave His richest gift to men-Jesus
the Christ-and that marvellous gift of
the ages has proved the inspiration
of the day and given birth to the
spirit Of giving among men. And for
this reason let us give remembrance
to just as many people as we can af-
ford to give, to those of our own
homes, to our friends and to the poor.
It doesn't need to be much, so that
1t is q token of friendship. Remember
particularly the lives that are cast in
hard places. Lift a mortgage, pay q
debt, send a check to the brave wom-
an who Is fighting for her children.
Bring the young nan or young woman
who is away from home to your own
Preside. Send a Christmas dinner
where you are sure there would be a
scanty one If you did not send it.
Urt,a enirft nf rbric+roo, L., - 80
pressing itself in service. The love
of God found its expression in the gift
of a Saviour to the world. The love of
Christ found its expression in the gift
of a life of pure and unselfsh service
to mankind. He gave Himself to the
closest association with men so that
every man might take heart In the
struggle and have a reasonable hope
OF being able to live likewise.
This gift of service is the best gift
which can be given to the world. And
this gift is within the reach Of every
body. There il nc excuse for those
who do not make 1t. None are too
busy to be friendly and none too great
to stoop to little kindnesses. I once
thought there were natures that could
not be cordial, but | know now that II
was a mistake. The most memorable
duty men ver have is to love and ia
render services of love. 1t was one Of
the last teachings Of Jesus that we will
be judged at last BY our attitude In
practical sarvics to the sick. the or