The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-12-25
As q Little Child.


As the approaching Christmas time
advances We are reminded of that
little child whose advent into the
world caused such commotion amens
kings and wise men at the time, a0d
whose life and teachiBg afterwaro,
have become world wide and far
famed, reaching to the uttermOst
mart OF the earth AT His shrine
we bow and ia HIS memory we bestow
our gifts. IL we bear this 10 mind
we will act give unworthly nor
unwisply and will receive our own
gifts graciously and thankfully. We
will bpth give and accept ~ a little
child and the JOYS aud simple pleas
ures uf the seaon will be ours.
There Will be no rivalry nor Jealousy
hut lIght-hearted joyousness will
pervade the home
Asa little child are you trusting
and sIucere, believing others to have
the best OF motives until they show
themselves to be otherwise? AS a
little enid have you the happy fan
sies and vivid negotiations that
make this time the happiest Of the
year, or have you let the stern reali-
tie and practlcil side OF life rob you
Of your child heart?
The home where here are no chill
dren Is RI b1ed of hal the joy of the
Chris mas day, 1hey u Is who weave
arnu q it the fauCieS and mysteries
that give II It's charm; that fill II with
expectancies and swee >urprises; that
make music with their happy laugh
ter ana brighten it win their uufet-
tered uufeigned gladness. 1t we
would have happy Christmas let us
welcome 1t ds little chld and spend
it as Que. Then there Will be none OF
the mercendry element IN yOurgiving,
none OF the feeling mat are prompted
by the desire to Outdu some one or TO
get even. Let us keep the heart
youn cherish our harmless, happy
illusions, our dreams and fancies, and
cling to our faith and trust that make
life's pathway easy to tread; and most
Of all let US keep the heart alive with
love.
That which makes a present ap-
pTeciatea is the sent ment expressed
whether that be 10 tie nature Of 1t
or manner in VIII oh it Is done or both.
1t should show careful thought in It's
selection and in its Ndattability and
suitability to the ersOn tor whom It
Is chosen. A travelling bag for an
inyalid who never goes any place, a
book OF poems for him who dlSukes
poetry, or a red sweater for an auburn
haired girl would seem like irony or a
cruel joke. Tue custom OF giving TO
another merely as an Xchange with
out feeling or sentiments is one that Is
becoming laboTious aud there is some
show that it will he discontinued In
the near future, but II has taken hold
to such an extent that it will take
long to work reform. Why not
each one begin this year and in sweet
and simple love of a little child give
gifts only where the heart goes.
Giving should be divided into two
classes, the gifts of love and those Of
charity.
Wealth is never essential to happi-
ness, and at this season it is espec
tally tue, although money can be-
used TO good advantage. Disceni-
eutpd ones may complain that the
have no money with which to ma
ChnstlIas happy, but with h0m
be 1t ever so hOmely, health, and =
cheerful heart, it can be happy
Things after all do not make happl-
ness. The more we have the more
care and worry is added. The hum
BILE home is more often the place Ui
Christmas joy. than the palaces OF the