Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-12-25
CHRISTMAS.


- s,or holy day degenerated from
z r..that in our time, and indeed for a
S long way back. Sorry to say
's that so many deem it still day
of festivity of a sort that brings
little credit to the name of the
Christ. Child who came down from
heaven and WAS incarnate, dwell
ing among sinful men and for
their sakes became so poor, that
he had not even a place for shelter
save such as was rendered him by
ssi. those well nigh as poor as he
'sf '-feast.: We.who, ifnot rich, are at
notshelterless, may well be thank
f1l Tor what is given us, for Chris
= tlanlty brings to us safe abode,
freedom to dosuch worship as we
carefor, privileges many, ofwhich
s~e~' we take little account, they being
49,. common.
Butitis well topause and think
eg ltover in this season-think over
the losses with light remembrance
and the gains with lifted hearts,
"A praising the giver of all good
~ gifts for the much we have; of
the man who was sent to the
asylum for the insane-we are
blest that we have reason, and
yet 1T is likely that not one of us
ever thanked the giver ofintellect
- that we are not as he; of the poor
wretch who is in prison-what
blessed choice was it that he was
sent, and not ourloved sonI No
lear OF that, you say? You can
not say. The very environments
that saved him from such a fate
were given you-a sheer gift and
no merit OF yours. 1t was not
your house that was burned last
---r. week-yet it might have been
yours; but are you devoutly
thankful?
But enough. 'Lift up your
hearts" IT'S not preach
ment we would make, lest a
secular paper might be set down
asamere sermonizer. Only this.
TINT we should be and can be
more thankful, and may show
this thankfulness by reaching out
: to- Others. Hewho said ''as We have
done 1T unto one of these little
ones We have done it unto me ~
needs little of our worship save
and except that which is shown |
IN Just that doing. This writer
recalls a family, not at all in
-. ssEtihieirt condition, rather even
poor in this worlds goods, who.
having provided the Christmas
turkey, and knowing of q still
h'*poorer neighbor, one to whom af-
flceIon OF more than one sort had
come sent the turkey to the
- poorer than-they neighbor, and
dHied happily on spare ribs sent
~. by a friend And the turkey thus
- :. Sent made all concerned doubly
g. happy,
oh but it's a fine world. this
- one OF ours! Fine if we elect to
:; IN make asI lfso: Bad, poverty-strick-
en- ana barren, If we so choose.
! =. we make lt-yes, we who clamor
because 1T Is not to our liking.
and grumble and growl when our
ssy,. llklngs clash with nature-and set
WI up a. howl because we cannotl
: have our full of self and selfish
-. ness. But We can make world
OF ilght, OF sunshine, not only for
$50 ourselves but for those about us.
How? Be thankful. Just this
,, one day be thankful. III the
demon OF discomfort creeps in.
show him the door; say to him
This day at least shall be minel
thankfully to enjoys. Then. i'll
. You can make one day sunshinv
you can make all the DAYS SIM
ssalny, and your days oflight will
light light many who, not we'll know :
lag now TO do, can at least bask i
your. sunshine. :
Try lt-lust this one Christ !
Mass day, this day of days; and
s'wi1at you can do one dav Won :,
can.do all days. =
GOD bless ALP, said tiny Tim. +
80 this Christmas day the CITIZEN /,
says-"God bless ali.''