Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1910-12-22
TIE Charm OF Christmas

49, HAA@ ~ Ahfes ~ A
Christmas awakens the strongest
and most heartfelt association 9
TheIe IL a tone of soien n and
sacred feeling that Blends with
our convivialIty, and lifts the
spirit to a state OF n allowed and
elevated enjoyment. The SER
vices OF the church about this sea
son are extremely ten ler and in
spring; they dwell on the beauti
tul story of the origin OF our faith
and the pastoral scenes that ac-
compsnied its announcement;
Ln.y gradually increase IN f,ryor
sud pithos during the season of
advent until they break forth in
fuIl jubilee on the morning that
ocought forth peace and good
vlll tn do not know a
grander effect OF music on the
,nUral feelings than to hear the
tu!l choir aud the peal ne organ
performing a Christmas anthem
IN a cathedrai, and filling every
Iart OF the vast pile with Triumph
ant harmony.
IL is a beautiful arrangement,
also, derived from the days of
yore, that this festival, which
commentaries the announcement
of the religion OF peace and love.
has been made the seaso for
gathering together closer agaiu
those bands Of kindrel hearts.
which the cares and pleasures
and sorrows OF the world are con
thu iiiy operating to cast loose;
OF calling back the children Of d
family who have launched forth
in life and wandered widely as
under, once more assemble abou
the pAtrenal heath-that rallying |
place OF the affections, there t,
grow young and loving ayai.
among mementos of chill mood.
There is something in the verS
season of the year tina. gives !
harm to the festivity of Christ
mas. At other times we derive q
great portion of our pleasure
RON the Mere beauties pf nature.
Jur eiing- sally forth and lis
'Ipate themselves over the sunny
indscape, AMI We Live abroa
nd everywhere The song o
the bird, the murmur of tn
'.ream, the breathing Fragrance
It spring, the soft vOluptuousnes
/ summer, the golden pomp o.,
autumn. earth with its refreshing
sreen, and heaven, with 10 deep,
delicious blue and its cloady ma
ilcence, all iili Us with mute bu
xquisite delight, and we revel i
he luxury OF mere sensation
3ut IN the depth of winter, whef
nature lies despoiled OF ever
charm and wrapped in her shrou
Ot sheeted snow, We turn for Al.
or Publications to moral sources
The dreariness and desolation o
our landscape; the short. gloom
lays and dirksome nights, whil,
they circumscribe our WANDER
lngs, shut in our feelings ais
from rambling abroad, and max.
us more keAnly disposed for IN
pleasures of the social circle. Oui
thoughts are more ccnsecrated:
our friendly sympsthi-s NOR
aroused We feel more sensioly
the charm of each others societ
and are brought more closely to
gether by dependence on each
o.h'r for enjoyment. A seaso
when heart Is calling unto heart
The pitchy gloom without
makes the heart dilate on enter.
the room filed with glow and
warmth of the evening fire. The
ruddy blaze diffuses an artificial
and sunshine through
the room, and light up each cour
tenance with a kindller welcome.
Where does the honest face OF
hospitality expand into a broader
and more cordial smile-where is
the shy glance OF love more sweet,
~ eloquent-than by the winter
nreside? And, as the hollow
blast of wintry wind rushes
through the hall, clasps the dis.
tant door, whistles about the case
ment. and rumbles down the CHM
ney, what can be more grateful
than that feeling of sober anol
sheltered security with which wei |,
look around upon the comfort
able chamber and the scene oil
hilarity. l.
Amidst the general call to hap.
piness, the hustle of the spirits,
and stir of the affections, which,
prevail at this period, what bosom
can remain insensible? 1t is, in.
deed, the season of regenerated
feeing-the season for kindling
not merely the fire OF hospitality |,
IN the hall, but the genial flame
of charity in the heart. |,
Surely happiness is reflective.
like the light of heaven; and
every countenance, bright with
and glowing with innocent
is a mirror transmit
ing to others the rays of a Gu j
and ever-shining benevo-
ence. He who can turn chu. lish /;
y away from contemplating the
of his fellow beings. and
sit down darkling and repin +,
ng in his loneliness when ALL
around is joyful, may have his
moments of strong excitement
and selfish qualification. but he
wants the genial and social sympa
.hies which constitute the charm,
q merry Christmas. /,