Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1905-12-29
CHRISTINE

useful gifts from the soil, bright sunny
days and the very heavens present Dew
beauties to one gazing up into the starry
reaches at different periods Of the
year.
Our choice Of seasons mny differ, but
the time Of the birth OF the Christ child,
the period OF peace to men OF good
will" is universally welcomed for it
makes one less selt.centcred and induces
thoughts of Others and OF noble action,
It scothes the troubled miuos OF meu
and, 1t may DC, memory recalls thoughts
OF better days.
The curtain is lifted-there is the
nome, humble indeed, but home. The
mother dear, whose busy fingers glad.
dencd the heart many times at Christ
mas, father, who delighted TO see our
Joy, brother, sister. all pass by.
Dawn Is just breaking; do You not
remember how we tip tocd down the
Stair: There dce the stockings. How
did stocking held so much? \ shrek
OF delight. y suppressed giggle. All
are awake. The day had begun.
We were told again that old. old story
OF the birth Of the lowly Savior i'll far
oil Bethlehem town, OF the JOY and the
song of the angels to the men on Judah's
hills, and Of the shepherds Fastening to
The rock-hewn stable TO behold Gods
gift To- men.
This Is the season Of giving. The Best
was given US; how can we refuse 10
give our best 10 Him aud TO our fellow
men? To thousands, this is and must
be the time OF self. forgetfulness. Only
those who have tried it know the Joy that
comes as a reward.
Men made gifts before Christ's COM
ing. Some men, no doubt, thoroughly,
enjoyed tho pleasure the gift aroused.
But today and since lie came, giving is
sancritied and urliftel by the example
Of the Son of God, -Who for US men and
for our salvation" became u little child
and gave Himself for us.
Along the busy streets OF city aud
town, men and women hasten, stopping
here and there to purchase something
Tor some loved one. Often at a corner
Is found a tripod and kettle into which
many OF those passing deposit u gift, be
it large or small, TO give Il Christmas
dinner to many homeless ones. At the
settlement houses preparation is made
to feed many IA waif and to give some
teaching regarding the day. Churches
make ready to bring Joy to the hearts OF
their Sunday School scholars and the
sick and poor Of the neigbborhood.
Employers think OF some token OF
regard for employees; the nor for the
man at their head. Families are re-
united at this joyful season and those
unavoidably separated send messages
and tokens OF affection.
Once. at least, men think less OF self
and more OF others. This is the result
of the Christ spirit.
The idea OF brotherhood is growinp
Me long for, men are working Tor the
day when equity shall govern all affairs
OF hic. God speed that day.
Are wo members OF tina army. so filled
with the Christ spirit, that we must 90
about doing good at this season?
His throne was Il manger; Ills royal
attire, swadling bands; Ills crown, the
ghtterIng tears OF gladncss that ran
down the cheeks Of His Virgin Mother
and dropped softly on His bro W; Ills
courtiers, tho humble shepherds from
B"ethlchcm's hills. a KING? Yea, and
on the morrow, rs through all the ages
since His birth, will throng to do Him
homage those OF low and high degree;
the cottagcr Of the valley and the rich
man on the hill; the that had
sinncd, but was hidden, SEQ, sin no more
and she OF clustered hall; the boy OF "tho
prOdigal' story and the monk in his
lonely cell; OF every rank md station
they come to wonder and adore.
THE CHRIST ISCOME. Tho intlu.
once Of Ills advent is felt for the better.
ment, morally and spiritually, Of the
world today.
II Is the message Of peace and cncour-
ageIncnt the Christmas season brings.
lts teaching to glorify God and to love
our neighbOrs rs ourselves.