Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-12-24

HERE'S TO you and your families
May you live long and prospect
TIE HAPPY CHRISTMAS SEASON
Within the past few weeks large
percentage of the people of this city,
both young and old, who had read or
heard the story of Jesus of Nazareth
have witnessed in moving pictures most
Of the scenes in which He figured while
He tsbernacled with men. OF course,
ibs pictures we're isnciful, but tLey
nevertheless impressed important truths
unon the minds of all who witnessed the
exhibitions, as the participants appear
ed a. if alive, aud the story OF the man
gar and the cross seemed to step from
hooks into actual scenes. Christmas,
following as it does so closely in the
w,ke of those exhibitions, the reeoliec-
ton of the scenes in the inn at Bethle'
hem are rendered to many Of our people
more interesting at this time. There
has also been during the. past week or
two arevival OF interest in spiritual mat
ters in this community in the shape OF
union evangelical meetings, when REP
,ossntatjyes of all creeds have We'd 10
arousing the lapguid and attracting the
attention OF the thoughtless to the claims
If Him whose birth Is 10 be celebrated
tomorrow. The aftermath OF this
awakening is apparent now.
Many centuries have elapsed since the
songs Of angels were heard in Judes an
nounciDg the advent of The Author OF
the Christian faith, and at this day moth
ing can be ssid 10 connection with that
event that has not been uttered in SUE
stance In the remote past. But IS time
goes on and generation follows genera
ton the anniversary of the scenes at
Betblehem over nineteen hundred years
500 is IS interesting rs ever. There was
a time when comparatively few people
observed Christmas, some denominations
regulating the day altogether, but IN
our day it not only appeals to members
of all creeds Of Christians, but Is OBJ
served in Q measure by those who do mol
sctro 1lOdsO sha claims Of the Nazsren''
as we'll as by others who manifest no In
terest In religious matters.
Many, however, have but faint con-
ception of the religious aspect OF the
day, and often abuse 1t by excuses and
making as much noise as possible. But
another class muse over the story Of the
wonderful occurrences IN Judes with in
terest. To the latter class the dawn of
tomorrow will bring glsdness and the
cheer incidental to the day will doubt
less be regarded as secondary. The
wonderful spread of the Christian faith
from q humble origin in far away Pal
estine is of itself hard to explain. Ap-
peariug at time when Rome was at her
zenith and the proud Greek was averse
70 sitting at the feet of any one, 1t has
in the centuries that have followed rele-
gated to the owls and bats the mythology
of ancient times.
While Christmas appeals to all, 1t is
especially interesting to the younger
generation. 1t is q season of rejoicing
for them, anticipated weeks before its
advent, and little ones will fall asleep
tonight firm believers in KISS Ktingle
aud his reindeer team.
Many older ones, too, are enthused at
the advent of Christmas, and while a !
large percentage of people see nothing |
in the dSy save fessting and the inter
change of gifts, the souls Of others are
animated at the spiritual thoughts incl
dent to the occasion.
During the centuries that have follow
ed the birth of the Redeemer the cele-
bration of Christmas has become wide
spread, and millions are spent in pre-
pairing for and celebrating the feast.
Gifts range from penny whistles to high
priced automobiles. But, after ell, our
sucsstors, with the blazing yule log,
smoking bosr's head, spple sauce snd ale,
were equally as happy as the moderns
who are rather disposed to overdO the
holiday season.
The Gazette tenders the compliments
Of the season, and wishes its readers
merry Christmas with such of the bless
ings of heaven as they may have to en-
Joy.
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In TTnifod Gtatea