The Norfolk weekly news-journal. (Norfolk, Neb.) 1900-19??, 1910-12-30

. maj anu Jul lHt uODleI anu BtnlltI
/ ideals of youth. But Christmas is the
day and the annual occasion when we
can all come back" lie. who forgets
not the grind and goes through the
holidays without laying aside his
worst self by. summoning back the
glories and joys of earlier days has
missed its deepest significance.
Christmas is the day when all
should be glad and happy. 1t is the
time for all the old illusions, all the
old dreams and rancies. 1t is the day
when the children radiate the blessed
cheer from their young lives in the
thousands OF households throughout
christendom. The usual commercial
spirit of other days is dismissed and
young and old join in one merry time,
the only competition being that which
sees who can do the most to make
others-rather than themselves-hap
by. Strange as the mystery appears,
it is in this very thing that happiness
is found. And So in this glad holiday
season, associated as it is with the
hottest and tenderest memories and
associations, we shall get the most
out of it by getting out of ourselves
by entering with all the zest of which
we are capable of, into the merry max
ing and gift giving of our homes and
our friends. The one who doesn't do
this is altogether out of place. You
remember that old Scroogs, the Dick
ems character, didn't want to join in
the Christmas spirit-and what de-
spicable old crouch he was. This is
the day when frowns, and complaints
and pessmism find no recognition.
Christmas brings the greatest mes
sage to earth which it has ever been
permitted to hear. Men had lived for
years without much concern for one
another. Petty prejudices, narrow am
billions and cruel selfishness dominat-
ed alike in nation and in home. Blood
shed was the one way to settle Difficult
ties and even adjacent peoples were
continually at strife, while the more
distant folks were the spoil of those
who conquered them. Woman was
degraded and considered the vassal of
man. The Roman empire, which ruled
the then civilized world and permeat-
ed in it's politics, it's social and home
life. with the spirit of hatred and dis
trust. 1t was into such a world as
this that the sweet babe of Bethlehem
brought the glad, new, wondrous mes
sage that God wants all men to be
neighbors. AS He grew older He gave
the good news eXemplification by liv-
ing life of simple daily kindness,
spending his time in going about
among the hills and plains of Galilee
doing good" and bringing help and
hope to all whom he met. He sympa
thiZed with all classes and conditions
of men and women and His contact
with them dispelled their gloom and
made them glad He was their neigh
| Dor.
/ Is it any wonder that at His birth
the angels sang, the shepherds rev.
erently listened and the wise men
brought gifts? This is the day we
celebrate and call Christmas Is it any
wonder that the little girl to whom
Christmas had brought an overpow-
ering measure of joy knelt down at
the close of the bright day and as a
last thought waited this thought heav-
onward, Good night Lord Jesus,
hope You'll have many happyA returns
of Your birthday"
The life of the Christ child has
changed the current of the worlds
history. peace on earth, goodwill to
men" was no illusion. Mankind has
been growing gentler and kindlier and
more just ever since the angels sang
it at His cradle. And on this glad
Christmas day which we observe the
home Is exalted as never before as the
hottest and happiest place that earth
1
knows, woman is reverenced and be-
loved throughout the civilized world
wherever the Christ is worshipped and
there is a growing demand among the
people of the great Christian nations
that war shall cease. 1t Is one of the
notable contributions to the history of
the year that is now closing that a
great American philanthropist has
contributed ten millions of dollars to
be used distinctively for the promotion
Of Peace.
Then, Christmas has we'll been call
ed the Festival of Friendship" 1t is
no longer a day confined to making
happy those of the family and init
mate friends by gift-making and mer-
ry making. Laudable and right as all
this is, it has taken on larger and a
richer view. The horizon of mankind
is broadening. The spirit of gener-
Osity is getting beyond the old lati-