Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-12-24
rCoMMUxIcArED
CHRISTMAS.

Christmas means to us season of
rejoicing. 1t has come down to us
through the ages, since Christ was born
in the little city Of Bethlehem and
the angels sang around His manger
Peace on earth good will to mar,
we have caught the cristlike spirit,
and join in one grand harmonious
strain, and sing the sweet anthem Ger
and DER again until our hearts are
filed with JOY aud gladness. To those
who are bountifully supplied with this
worlds goods, this is season of glad
ness, but in the homes where poverty
turks, what find we there, sorrow and
distress. What would appeal more to
gentle, sympathetic heart thaa 8
mother in home Of poverty now.
Picture her with her little ones cling
ing to her skirts, prattling in their in
nocent childish fashion about Santa
Claus, and what he will bring them.
she shudders at every word for she
knows only too well there will be no
visit from Santa Claus IN their home.
See her distress when she views the
little stockings hung in a row, when
she watches the little eager faces peer.
ing in, only to turn away with a look
OF disappointment and wander aud
an inquiring look at mother, as il they
expect her to explain. There are just
such homes in our midst today and
God grant the good mothers may find
them. This is a season OF giving and
may every good citizen in our dear
old town, feel it his or her duty to
give their mite to mitigate the
suffering, and advance the hap
piness OF the less fortunate, for what
are we that we should prosper more
than they, and in giving we increase our
own happiness ten fold. As / writ,
scenes OF my childhood come before
my vision. look back over the vista
OF years and recall my home life.
Such sweet. simple life it was
away from the mad rush, and
wild tumult of the city'S din
and roar, care free and uDtrammeled
by the laws OF society, with my dear
mother and father, sisters and brothers,
we lived q quiet peaceful life in the dear
old home. Many years have passed
and most OF them are aleep in the silent
city, yet tonight they seem strangely
near to me; it seems they have come
from the silence and ] can hear their
voices and see their smiling faces get
tiug ready for Christmas. What great
preparations we're made in that dear old
home. Mother was busy for weeks
ahead Of time, and when the day
dawned at last the pantry fairly groan-
ed with good things too numerous to
mention. And mothers mince meat
pie, My but it was good, ] have never
since tasted any to equal it. Ever
green was twined in profusion about
the walls interspersed with clusters of
bright holly, then the Christmas tree
in the old fastened parlor (for mother
would always have Christmas tree)
fairly bent with its beautiful trimmings.
Those who had married and made
homes for themselves were invited back
to the home nest, and father and
mother looked on with smiling faces,
while the children and grandchildren
made the old walls ring with their
laughter and song. Christmas means
so much TO the little innocent child, TO
the maid to the youth, but to those
who have almost reached the last mile
stone it means nothing. Itawakens sad
memories, and paints vivid pictures OF
vanished days. The empty cradle, the
broken toy, the vacant chair by the
firesde, the lonely snow covered grave,
arc all suggestive oil brighter days where
shadows now creep in. They are only
waiting for the sound OF the boatinan's
voice, listening for the grating of the
boat upon the sands, waiting for the
invitation to step in and be conveyed
across the silent stream, to the great
beyond, to the celestial city from
whittier no weary traveller ever returns.
l wish all happy Christmas and when
the day is ended and the curtain is
drawn may we have that peace OF mind
that the world cannot give nor take
away.