Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1910-12-23
THE EN- TIN Ell.
ROCKVILLE, MD
Friday Morning Sc. December %, 1910.
IN THE CHRISTMAS COUNTRY.

Christmas this year falls on Sunday next
On that day let us all take a journey to
the Christmas Country We will find it
stretching from the bright lands of Child
hood through the flower-studded gardens
of Youth, across the rich and fertile acres
of Manhood and Womanhood, even to the
end OF the green fields Of Old Age. 1t is
out OF sight of Care, it has an insuper-
able wall against Trouble, and the storms
OF Strife and Temper never reach its
shores. 1t is a land of gorgeous plenty,
with every gift that invention can de-
wise or kind hearts suggest. 1t is a land
flowing with the milk of human kindness
and the honey of sweet thoughts. Its val
leys OF peace are guarded by the Noun
tains Of Protection, which tower into the
clear celestial skies.
Lit with the sun Of countless smiles, the
air rings with the music Of the laughter of
children. Santa Claus may be its king, but
he is an invisible monarch who never needs
to punish his subjects, whose DEGREES are
transmitted by wireless telegraph and are
carried out in secret. In his reindeer sleigh
he comes and goes, and you only hear the
tinkle Of the sleigh bells But we know
he has been there by the splendid gifts he
leaves beside million freplaces and the
stockings he Rlls hanging on millions Of
mantlepieces.
Intensely selfish people whose minds are
filled only with thoughts Of themselves, and
what they can get out of others, can never
get into the Christmas Country, and they
wouldn't appreciate it if they ever did get
IN But millions Of men and women, boys
and girls, whose hearts are young. who are
hlled with pleasant thoughts for others,
VINO are as unselfish as they are kind will
lind the gates wide open. and as they enter
"A little Child shall lead them"
For it is particularly the land of child
hood, as it is the land of innocence and
purity and unselfishness. 1t was founded
by the loveliest Being that ever dwelt upon
this earth, Who mingled in His own person
all the best of earth and all the best Of
Heaven. He loved the children and seemed
to feel kinship with them. He loved to
take them in his arms and bless them, and
when older disciples tried to keep them
away. as If they were troublesome to the
Master, He rebuked them, saying, Suffer
the little children to come unto Me, and
forbid them not. for of such is the King
dom Of Heaven"
1t is fitting that this celebration of the
anniversary of His birth should have grown
into the great Festival Of the Children. He
was born in manger in stable, in Beth
lehem; therefore the poorest child who ever
was born into the world has something in
common with Him. He was exalted as
klng Of kings and Lord Of lords therefore
the proudest prince may look up to Him
and call Him humbly Father"
Even those who do not acknowledge His
Divinity believe in His goodness and ereat-
ness. So that all Of us. Of whatever church
or creed or race, no matter how Door or
now rich. how humble or how exalted, can
JOIN IN TINS happiest festival of all the
year. All of us can put aside the cares
and sorrows, the trouble and strife of this
old wOrk-a-day world and. with the chill
dren, 80 for at least a little while into the
Christmas Country
Aside from the children, this is the time
not only to give free rein to any gener-
Gus impulse, but to originate and cultivate
generous impulses, and il not capable of
that, to give away something from stern
sense of duty. There is ample opportunity
on every hand. There are relatives and
friends who, if not in poverty, are pinched
and hard pushed. Ease upthe load a little.
Then there are thousands of poor and sick
people who have little reason to think that
any one in the world cares in the least for
them or their troubles Show them they
are mistaken, and convey to them, along
with the relief they need. little genuine
human sympathy. So doing, you will give
happy Christmas, and have one.