Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-25
CHRISTMAS CHEER
G|RDS THE WORLD
YuIetide Anniversary Univer.
sally Celebrated.
SPIRIT OF CHARITY ABROAD
Scenes and Sights and Sounds Of
Great Gift Day.
HOMES OF HUMBLE AND RICH
Silent Manifestations of Universal
Brotherhood Of Man-Work Of
Benevolence in Washington.
HOMES OF HUMBLE AND RICH
Christmas day. 1907.


Is there a single normally constituted
person in Washington, d. c., or else where
in the length and breadth of this great
land who, way down deep in the heart
of hearts, isn't really and truly glad that
the yuletide season has come 'raund
again? Who doesn't love the scenes and
sights and sounds of the great gift days
near approach-the hurrying throngs. the
crowded streets the lights and laughter
and display, the scent of pungent forest
green in the crisp December air? Let's
hope as hard as ever we can that such
a person doesn't live and breathe the
same chime ellowed air with those who
make of day and of occasion the most,
the best they can.
christmas comes but once year. and
when it comes it brings good cheer
Such a blessed bit of halting doggerel
to express SO much, so very much of
truth and seasonableness. And yet the
genius-driven quill of bard or laureate
never said ruore-and often less-than this.
For, after all, isn't the question an
swered? Doesn't it bring cheer-good
cheer-to the rich, the middle class, the
poor; to young and old and middle-aged.
and even, in sweetest justice, to those
children of the world who stare at fleet
ing time with vacant eye and, dropping
lip. living the years away, but never
growing up.
And this, apart from the argument or
logic of the religious. tells why the Christ
mas idea. while keeping pace with the
| af rhirl live r1d nd hn a.
ernizing of its scattered peoples, keeps
growing and broadening and approaching
more nearly each year realization and
| idealization of that birthday benediction,
Peace on earth: goodwill toward men,"
Washington a Participant.
Washington does not lag behind her
sister cities in Christmas spirit or in its
manifestation. There are many charita-
BILE organizations IN the National capital,
AMI brief paragraphs in the newspapers
of the past few days have limited at.
rather than related, the scope of their
unselfish holiday charity. What one Of
us will not sit down to our Christmas
dinner today with family or friends or
both more comfortable and content, more
ready for the feast and all 1t means.
knowing that the poor-the poor to whom
Christmas would mean so little If not
made to mean so much-are cared for.
They have turkey and ''fxings." too.
and gifts-useful. appropriate gifts-of
other things to eat and things to wear.
The Salvation Army, the Associated
Charities, the Mobiles of the Mystic
Shrine, the missions and many other or
ganiZations. both secular and religious.
have seen to this Individual effort must
not be overlooked either, for thousands
of families are warm. well fed and happy
today as the result of the personal char
ity of those who delight more in giving
than in receiving.
Th., most delightful thing about this
Christmas work in Washington. too. is
that while the practical side is most nat
urally kept uppermost, the Christmas
idea, the spirit of the season. is not over
looked. Why should not the children of
the poor have speaking acquaintance
with Santa Claus. the universal giver?
They should, and-thanks to gentle souls
and warm and kindly hearts-they have.
The flying feet of the reindeer team
from the toy shop of the world rata
tapped last night on the sunless roof or
hovel and tenement between stops at the
homes of the rich or the well-to-do. And
by every stop the little ones who slum-
bered there, perhaps drea ming of the
Christmas wonders of their Never-never
Land, awoke to happiness this morning,
perhaps even to an idea of Christmas
and its joys that otherwise they could
not have known.
Religious observances.
began at L. o'clock last night. when at
many of the Catholic churches of the city
midnight mass was celebrated. At St.
Aloysius Church the first mass was at
midnight, and before the mass trombone
quartet sounded the "Adesta Fhdelis'
from the tower of the church.
At the .nurch of Mount st. nepulchre,
the Franciscan monastery, Christmas
services began with the solemn chant
&l- Il To
o'clock last night. A solemn high mass
was sung at II o'clock. during which
the friars OF the monastery rendered in
Gregorian chant "Missa de Angels"
A procession was formed after the mass.
consisting of the clergy and laity. and
a visit made to a representation of the
''Grotto at Bethlehem under the church
These midnight services as well as all
the services in the churches of various
denominations throughout W ashington to-
day were we'll attended. All morning the
streets uptown were thronged with
worshipers going to and from services
and with the gift-laden as we'll. and the
Just visiting folk were legion.
Christmas Tree Feature.
Every Christmas tree is prettier than
every other Christmas tree in the eyes of
the fond parents who dress it. and 1t takes
a lot of CHI srful trotting back and forth
on the part of young folks and grown-ups
to have this important subject properly
settled
OF course all the youngsters to whom
Santa Claus brought sleds were bit
gloomy when they woke up this morning
and could see not even one little sgn of
a snowflake But they had other things
to think about--moSt of thenl-and their
spirits weren't low very long. Besides,
those sleds won't melt and it's simply
bound to snow some time this winter,
anyhow.
So all over the city all of today Christ
mas is being celebrated in the good old
time way. --veryDody is happy.
So back to that doggered bit again:
''Cnristmas comes but once a year, and
when it comes 1t brings good cheer"
Which it certainly does.
Hospital for Insane.
The celebration of Christmas at the