Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-19
BIRTHDAY OF THE KING
Historical and Descriptive Account Of
the Origin Of Its Celebration.
SANTA CLAUS: THE SPIRIT OF GIVING.
BY REV. VIM. M. PROCTOR.


used to start from his ice-bound home
in the Northland, and. coming to the
habitations of men, bring good times
to the children and good cheer to every
household. But of late there have
arisen some ''grown-ups" who say that
"Old Santa" is myth; and there are
even precocious children who smile
knowingly when threats of his displeas-
ure are made to keep them good "just
fore Christmas.
All right-minded folk know we'll
enough that Santa Claus is real, and
even now at Christmas time he comes
scattering gladness alongfhis hurrying
way. "Not so,' the doubters say;
"You never saw him. All the stories
of his doings are but idle tales and
never should be taught to children or
believed" These are they who would
Danish all fairy stories from the nurs-
cry and rob childhood of its chief de-
light-the realm of make-believe. 1t
were waste of time to try converting
them. Their sense-dulled ears never
heard in the frosty stiffness of aIChrist-
mas eve the tinkling sound of reindeer
bells or the soft rustic of fur garments
in the chimney flue, so how could they
be expected to understand? They are
of the sordid kind who need to see with
their eyes and handle with their hands,
not knowing that the things not seen
are the things most real.
To those whose eyes have not been
dimmed, whose hearts have not been
chilled by selfishness, the marks of San
ta's presence in the world are very
plain. His smile is seen reflected in
the sunny faces of those made glad by
his timely visits; his jolly laugh is ech-
oed by the troops of joyous children
who display their trophies on Christ
mas morn. He is real and yet he can
not be seen, because he belongs to the
world of spirits. He is the good Spirit
of Giving.
During all the rest of the year the
Spirit of Getting holds full sway. He
drives men ever with relentless hand.
He sends Ambition to allure them; he
incites Avarice to clutch them; he
causes the Wolf of Hunger to bite
them, and by hundred other devices
he spurs them on to accumulate, to
hoard, to get the good thing6 of life for
themselves. He plants the germ of
the disease of More in their blood, and
cOmpels them to slave and toll and
strive and strain to pile dollar on dol
lar, gain on gain, until their hands are
palsied and their very souls are shriv-
eled by the intensity of their passion
for Getting.
At the Christmas season some be-
nign, mysterious hand smites the Spirit
of Getting a mighty blow and he is
compelled for twelve long days to lie
quiescent. 'Tis then the Spirit of Civ
ing makes bold to come forth. He in
spires men to be care-free and merry;
he sows broadcast sentiments of peace
and fellowship. He still chants the
ancient Christmas rhyme:
Now all our neighbors' chimneys smoke,
And Christmas blocks are burning;
Their ovens they with baked meats choke
And all their spits are turning.
Without the door let sorrow lie,
And if for cold it hap to die,
Well bury it in Christmas pie,
/ And evermOre be merry.
Since Gods greatest gift to man was
made-since the Advent of the Christ
child in Bethlehem town SO many, many
years ago-the Spirit of Giving has
been slowly but surely gaining the mas
terry over the Spirit of Getting. New
joy has come into child-life, new mean
ing into all life since the Saviour of
men lived out the meaning of his own
words: at is more blessed to give
than to receive"
So whether it takes the form of Wise
Men from the East bearing gifts of
frankincense and myrrh, or is repre-
sented by the liveried postman, bearing
tokens of remembrance from far away
loved ones, or comes in the guise of an
indulgent father, making glad the
hearts of little ones-the Spirit of Civ
ing still finds embodiment at the Christ
mas season.
The child recognizes this Spirit Of
Giving as Santa Claus. With vivid
imagination he clothes him with form
of jovial proportions, furnishes him
with a sleigh and reindeer team and
sends him on his happy round of Christ
mas calls. Long may he remain the
children's Patron Saint, extending his
benefcent rule until the Spirit of Civ
ing shall have sway not only for twelve
days but for three hundred and sixty
five days of the year.