The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1911-12-29
WHAT WE OWE TO CHRISTMAS


a great many other subjects affecting
the progress of the race and human
ity's welfare, it has become somewhat
trite. A writer in one Of the leading
magazines OF the country expresses
phase of it in a somewhat fresh
and original way when, soliloquizing,
phere. 1t makes no difference to me
whether or not piece of fiction has
action in it, just so there is plenty of
atmosphere / doubt that the average
reader knows what atmosphere is, or
perceives it all in fiction--he is all
bent upon the story and how it is
coming out. But | like to read about
folks, and their houses, and their
ways of doings, and to sense be-
tween the lines the actual atmosphere
in which they lived"
Atmosphere is the most contagious
thing in the world. For a month be-
fore the Fourth of July the sale Of ma
tional flags begins, and in ever in
creasing measure continues until on
the day itself the spirit of patriotism
is in the air, seen in the thousands of
flags Of all sizes and descriptions wav-
ing in every city and town in the en-
tire country.
IL one were to visit this world for
hn Rrct riCfn nd
the day itself, in any christian coun-
try, and witness the sights and scenes
in the thousands Of happy homes
where merrymaking and kindness and
good cheer abound among young and
Md, he would indeed envy a race where
so much happiness prevailed. If love is
tho greatest thing in the world, Christ
mas is its climax in the years record
and the home is the greatest place in
the world. We owe great deal to
Christmas-immeasur more than
we do to any other day which we
commemorate. 1t means so much in
our lives, in its far-reaching Influence
that it is impossible for us to fathom
its significance. No other event in hui
man interest compares with the birth
of the Christ child in the manger at
Bethlehem more than 1000 years ago.
good will to men which has BEEN in
creasing over since as the most pre-
cious possession that the nome can
know. Christmas is in every respect
the cornerstone of our civilization, and
1t is only in.as-far as the spirit which
is astir in the hearts of all today, per-
of men that there is any guarantee Of
the future Of that democracy and free
dom which is our greatest and SUI
preme asset.
Everybody acknowledges that Christ
mas is the brightest, happiest spot in
each recurring year. 1t is the child
ren's day. 1t is the one day when all
the world is young. The day when
doubt and pessimism are banished to
the winds, and in the family circles of
christendom, joy and friendship, and
Delf forgetfulness rule. 1t is the day
when through the gateway of child
hood-the gateway Of sincere, unaf-
fected love-the world enters into a
larger and truer conception of the pri-
vileges and destinies of life. The story
of the shepherds and the wise men and
the angels, as they each in turn re-
joiced over the coming Of the Christ,
as it is brought down across the ages,
at each Christmas season is more and
more understood and interpreted in
terms that mean good will to others.
Christmas has brought us so much
Joy and happiness that we are under
some very binding obligations to it.
If it means anything to the individual,
1t means that whether he be young or
old, he should strive to make every
day in the home have something of
the Christmas spirit in it. OF all the in
situations there are in this world, the
home stands out Incompatible in its
value and it's character above and be-
yond everything else. Here is where
the lessons of love and service and
self-sacrifice are daily learned. 1t is
because the home was so important
that heaven through its portals
ushered in the King of Glory to do his
earthly mission. From the cradle at
Bethlehem to the cross at CALGARY, he
walked the earth as other men walk
it, and with stainless feet and I'M
faltering purpose, quietly and hum
bly, went about doing good. He lived
that the world might be more efficient
in making progress toward the stars.
It is our duty in the home, the state
and in every department of the civili-
cation of which we are part, to see
that the spirit of genuine brotherli'
ness increases. This is the day of gift.
The thought back of the gifts
is to show in some slight way our APP
probation Of the love and friendship
which helps to brighten the life about
us. Every gift is of value in as far as