The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1912-12-27
HAPPY CHRISTMAS
week IN PALATKA,
Jolly Old St. Nicholas has
Been Good to the Children.

Santa Claus has been unusually kind
and generous 10 the children of Palaika
this Christmas season. Perhaps this is
due 10 The larger prosperity which is
ours this year. Certainly il is not be.
cause OF any deeper love for the little
people, for the children have always
been the special care of this Jolly old
81. Nicholas in his annual visits to this
city.
The week opened on Monday night
with the Christmas tree at the PreSbyte.
rian church, Wednesday night Santa
Claus visited the children of the Baptist
Sunday school, tonight he has promised
10 meet with the little people of the
Methodist Sunday school, while tomor.
row afternoon he will call upon the lit.
tie folk at ST. Marks Episcopal church.
This old fellow is no respector of dc.
nominations, but somehow he does seem
to have special liking for the children
who gather in Sunday schools. Perhaps
ii is because they are gathered in the
name OF Him who came among men as
little child on that first Christmas
morning, and since which time the
elorficaion of childhood had its be
ginning.
Al any rate it is at this glad season OF
Christmas we feel most strongly and
cffectually the beauty and loveliness OF
purity and chidlike innocence, those
virtues which the Christ exalted and
cxemplified.
Before the coming of the Christ child.
hood was not lovely or lovable; il had
in ii nothing beautiful The masters OF
Greek art left 10 US no trace of their ap.
probation OF the lovelineSS of the child |
face. But since His coming, and in |
Christian art motherhood and babyhood |
have been the theme and inspiration OF
the greatest painters of all the ages.
The splendid galleries of Europe are
made reSpendent and hallowed by the
madonnaS wrought by the most ilustri.
Gus masters. So at this season the
Christ seems 10 appear again in every
innocent and happy child, unlocking
hearts long and fast closed by avarice
and drawing from their cold receSseS
good cheer and kindly, generous acts of
TO others.
This doctrine of Christmas, the incar-
nation-the coming of the child Christ
in the flesh, is indeed, the cardinal dog,
ma OF Christianity that distinguishes it
from all other religious
What is the lesson 10 us elders of this
happy Christmas time?
The prophets of Israel, to whom were
revealed enhancing visions of happier
Iuture, saw city "full of boys and
girls playing without harm or danger in
he streets thereof" The Savior de-
bounced dire woes upon the offenders
Of little children, the innocent, taken
n their innocence by wicked men and
declaring at were better for
hem if they had never been born" If
he awakening conscience of our coun- {
ry, state and community, shall not be
lble to administer just punishment upon
he heads of those who for gain destroy
he souls of our youth, let them know
hat He who came among US as little
'hild will come again 10 Judge those
Who deSecrate sacred childhood, and :
'ollute innocence
Let us, who by our Indifference per.
nit these crimes, fear lest we may share
heir penalty. y
We believe some such thoughts as
heSe have Centered in the adult minds ,
# PalatkanS this week and that their in. :
piration is due TO the happy children p
hey have seen trudging home from
neSe Sunday school Christmas tree ex.
rcises, with radiant, happy faces, bear y
lg dollieS and other toys bestowed by "
ood old Santa Claus. v