Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-12-22
SUNDAY SERMON

A Christmas shopper was hurry
! ing along the street yesterday after
noon when she noticed in front of a
store window a forlorn little girl,
thlnlY clad, with eyes intent on a
i doll She stopped and said to the
child:
Are You looking at something
for Christmas" 'Oh, nor she said,
''but that's such pretty doll l just
stopped to see it." and then she adj
ded, hesitatingly, I'VE don't ex-
pect to have any Christmas at our
house this year"
mo Christmas" said the lady.
why, my child, won't you have
any Christmas?"
well, you see my papa is dead
and my mama is sick and we don't
have very much money, so how can
we have a Christmas"
The lady looked into her face
with q kindly smile and said:
''YOn have heard of Santa Claus,
of course, who knows but he will
come around to your house to-
night" and the child smiled back
and said:
Il used to believe in Santa Claus
but l don't any more, " and then she
wrapped the Old shawl more closely
and started up the street.
The lady entered the store and
soon basket packed with warm
garments with the doll snugly stow
ed away at the bottom, marked
For the little girl who used to be-
lieve in Santa Claus" was ready to
be delivered.
The child will find the basket
Tuesday morning and like many
other children whose faith is
beginning to wane, will again swear
allegiance to the Old Saint whose
mission it is to make glad hearts at
Christmas time.
Happy the home and fortunate
the child who never loses faith in
Santa Claus. Call it deception, call
! it what you will, Santa Claus is a
privileged character and however
mythical, he is entitled to every con-
/ slderation- The child knows him
and believes in him and it is ruth
less hand which attempts to shatter
this kind of confidence.
The Herald for the past three
weeks has contained a numerous lot
OF letters from children ad dressed
TO Santa Claus expressing wishes for
some simple remembrance, and
we trust all will have their wishes
gratifed.
There are many homes which
have never been accustomed to
want and privation which, through
no fault of their own, are tods Y on
the edge of poverty. 1t is delicate
mission to visit this class of homes
and provide for their wants.
The spirit of independence rebels
and people prefer to suffer in sill
ence, rather than advertise their
condition, but the blessed Christmas,
which comes but once a year. makes
all men akin, and the jolly Odd
Saint Nick knows nothing of rank
or station. To him all homes are
alike and his only weakness is his
love for children and a desire to
make them happy.
The ton of coal or well filled ham
por, with "a Merry Christmas from
Santa Claus" never gives offense.
He is as privileged as the New
! Years caller and every home bids
him welcome.
Don't be afraid of the Santa Claus
fables They belong to the nursery
rhymes which linger longest in
memory and call back most wildly
the home Of childhood. Encourage
the children to dream about him
and if vivid imagination catches
glimpse Of his reindeer team as he
scales the roof and eager ears
tringle with the music Of his bells,
! don't mar the delusIon; It is harm
less and helpful,
IN
Everybody should be happy at
Christmas time. The day was usher
ed in 1000 years ago with a double
proclamation Peace and good
will" Both are necessary to happl-
ness.
The peace born Of good will and
stimulated by tits an abiding peace.
j At peace with all mankind is a con-
dition Of both heart and mind, and
there is no season Of the year so
suggestive Of its possession. as
I Christmas time.
There is another peace which the
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