The mirror., 1910-12-22
CHRIS MAS
BY III. M. g.

Christmas; what is 1t going to
mean to us this year? Ths one
day in which all mems hearts seem
drawn together in an ouipouring
of mutual good will. The day on
which the Scroggins think OF the
Tiny Twins and when their hear
are opened. is this Christmas
going to he season Of cheerful,
and peaceful thoughts, or are We
going to let the Hammer of Thor
kill our tenderest memories? You.
| suppose, all remember the start
and inception Of the Christmas fir;
how st. Boniface the apostle to
the Germans, gave to them the
pine tree to bear to their homes as
the centre of loving rites performed
in the light and warmth of their
own homes. The old story tells
how the thunder oak Of Thor top
ped desolat4 snow cappel hill.
underneath it a Gre was kindltd
upon an altar surrounded by white
robed warriors, waltz g to see a
young child victim to the iron
hammer of Thor. Upon this scene
came St. Boniface, bearing the
GROSS, symbol Of kindlier re-
ligion which was to supercede that
of the hammer. Cutting down
the oak under which such cruel
scenes had taken place. he entrust-
ed the people to take from the hill
side fir and bear it to the hall Of
the chieftain, where they might
celebrate in peace and love the
birthday of the White Christ, who
came to save, not to sacrifice little
children. So the fir became the
Christmas tree and the pagan rites
and festivities of the winter season
were spiritualized a md became
symbolic of the new faith which
VAS to bring peace and good will
to men. Most OF us will not be
able to spend Christmas III the ac-
cepted way, we shall not be able
to gather round Christmas fire,
nor shall We be able to fill stock
ings for little feet, or give to those
we love the presents that we would
desire. But at the same time there
are many ways in which We at this
Christmas season can give, and
you know the old saying, ut is
more blessed to give than receive. :
| We are able 10 give to those near
and dear renewal and an assur-
ance of our love and esteem. 1t
may not seem much, but to those
receiving it, it may be priceless.
| Only letter breathing our love
and faith and hope of reunion to
some one out in the world, wonder
ing and waiting, it may mean life
itself Then we can give a present
to our own better self; we can
make gift of determination not
to let the adversities Of the world
sour ard sully us, but to keep smil-
ing, and if like Bruce.s spider, we
should fall, to like it. Try, try
again. We can make third pres
ent this Christmas day; We can
make a present of forgiveness and
peace to all of those whom We
think have wronged us. We may
not be able to see or even write
them to tell them this, but we can
cut out from our hearts the rank
ing sore of many day, and we
shall feel better for the gift; and
last, but not least, we can 1ernem-
Der that gift of over nineteen hun.
drrd years ago: The gift to us of
a Life to be loved for thirty-three
years in our midst, knowing all the
time its ultimate end; living for
/ thirty-three years with the shadow
of an ignominious death at the end.
but giving itself freely and willing
ly that Christmas Day, that in the
boundless years to come we might
in return sing with the angels Of
old: GLORY 20 God in the high
est, on earth, peace, good will to-
ward men,"