Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-20
cHRIsrMAs-wHAT IT MEANS.
written for the Gazette

We can easily imagine tnat some
where in the great beyond there moves
in It's orbit a planet inhabited by people
very much like ourselves, possessed Of
a higher state Of perfection in mech
anism than this earth has yet discover
ed for witnessing the transactions OF
another globe. II from this imaginary
planet on the morning Of December %,
some human eye, penetrating the vast
stiffness Of almost endless space, could
fasten its gaze on the frost-b;tten crust
OF this old world OF ours, we naturally
wonder what its thought would be. Can
we not fancy a hoary seer, asking his
neighbor, why is it that year after
year down there on earth there is one
day which seems ever to grow in inter-
est and freshness? Doyou suppose that
the rich men OF earth are dividing up
their boarded gold and treasures? Can
it be that some nectar OF the gods has
been loosed from heaven and partaken
OF by the lips OF men? Or can it be
that the millennium has arrived and that
all the people are getting ready for the
new order OF things? We are finally
convinced that he will come to the con-
clusion that it is indeed strange and
sudden transformation that he cannot
comprehend, so seemingly uncaused.
He does not know that on the very
first Christmas day there was accom-
pIshed the most transcending love the
mind OF man has ever known. He is
ignorant OF the fact that OH that mem
orabIe day the heavens we're opened
and the light OF Gods presence was
shown to men. He does not know,
prehaps, that on this day there came q
fusion OF the human and the divine,
such as has never been pictured. If
he was wise to these things he would
have no cause to wonder at the eternal
freshness OF Christ's birthday, and
would not marvel at the soul-stirring
power its memory freshens in the minds
OF all mankind.
Christmas represents a great deal.
Family connections and kindred hearts,
which the tolls, cares and sorrows and
even pleasures OF busy world are ever
lending to drive asunder, the spirit Of
Christmas gathers together and COM
minges in Christian peace. 1t bids US
ask not how much our friends think OF
us, but what we think OF them. 1t
helps us to forget what we have done
for others and remember only what
others have done for us. 1t bids us
ignore what the world owes us and ask
ourselves as to what we owe the world.
1t shows that our existence is not for
what we are going to get ont OF life,
but what we are going 10 put
in it. And, among many other
things, it bids us stop and listen
to the longings OF little children
and reminds us to comfort the weak
ness and loneliness OF those who are in
the scar and yellow leaf Of life, II bids
lis care for the desolate, heal the
wounded OF heart, cheer up those cast
down in spirit, and with happy smile
produce sunshine in the midst OF gloom.
Visit the poor and minister to their
many wants. Many of the little ones
are shoeIess and without proper cloth
ing to keep them warm, and are found
in many places.
In these houses are homes, and in
these homes are the strongest and
gentlest and sweetest influence by
which human life is touched. 1t may
be the humblest hovel on the hillside,
but it is a home if in it one man loves
and is true TO one woman, and one wo-
man loves and is true to one man. And
the queen Of the household gathers
around her the loved one committed to
her care and teaches them TO live like
the boy who enriched with so much
beauty and grandeur the humble pow
erty OF the Nazarene home.
Alexandria is noted for its charitably
inclined people and organizations. The
good women are kept busy row in fer
reting out and ministering to the many
wants OF the suffering during this win
try weather and find the need much
beyond their ability to meet. Tons Of
discarded clothing are. no doubt, being
moth eaten in garrets in many homes
in our city which would be n God send
to the shivering waif or mother at this
time. In addition to the organization
represented by chartably inclined wo-
men, the Benevolent Protective Order
OF Elks will, as usual, fill many baskets
for the needy and brighten numerous
homes now so gloomy. We are sure
that il an appeal we're made for many
things what have been relocated to the
woodshed, the closets and the store
rooms OF many OF our homes and these
things collected distributed by the
proper authorities, in the right channel,
it would be not only Christmas in name
to many suffering ones, but one in
nature. Like bread cast upon the
waters, it will return to bless the giver.
III
Deputy sheriff Killed.
Latrobe. Pa, Dec. 20.-During