The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-11-29
A Fe7u Thoughts For Before Christmas

Now that the Christmas season is all most here, in our anxiety to do things, to make the occasion supremely happy, unnecessary presents, and oftentimes incur debt that will embarrass us to cancel. We have misconstrued the real spirit of the season. This gift of Christ mas is only an emblem of the best and greatest gift to mana Savior born to dispense happiness, peace and personal sacrifice, service to the world, through all time. Nothing that is given without that spirit answers the purpose of the anniversary.
 There are many duty gifts; that is. we send our packages sometimes just because we recognize it as obligatory, not a privilege, not an opportunity to speak from the heart to those we love, and whom we wish to remind of that love. Then we are not only foolish, but We are not sincere, not true to our friend, and burden ourselves.
 There never was better time to cali a halt in foolish presents; to think practically of how we should use such a festive occasion. I never see or hear a discharge of fireworks during the holiday period-the day before, on Christmas Day or the day after-that do not wonder why. In the first place, 1t gives no peace of mind, the type of rejoicing is incongruous to the occa- sion, and the important fact Is we arc burning up so much money that could be distributed with a Christian spirit among the poor, the needy and the suf- fering This helpful spirit makes the real Christ day. Of course the occasion | should be a joyous one in our homes, and those of our friends, but we must go outside with the thought of the
 strangers within our gate. Even if the supply of gifts are exhausted, you have yourself, and your own good intention and this made uniform for the day will leave no darkened, neglected firesides
 to follow in the path of St. Nicholas The sentiment of Christmas seems to have been overridden by the love or getting things.
 That it Is more precious to give than to receive seems a dim reminder. Last Crhistmastide heard a shopper i Last Christmastide I heard a shopper | l know she has gotten something lovely | for me, and I must have mine ready 50 | if I surmise right will be prepared" l could not refrain from saying, 'It is pity
 to have to give things" At once thought if these principles of getting things were applied in a business, one would call Il graft.
 The fact, is we are abusing Christmas
 we are making it financial burden to
 many; we are impairing our credit be- cause it Is a custom to give; not always
 because we are happy ourselves and in oul gratitude and faith are trying to give tc | the world the best that is in us.
 1 The idea of sacrifice for the sake of oui
 loved ones is too vague. There is toe much giving because we are getting l The example of good old St. Nicholas or his annual tour is a beautiful one, anc
 certainly no grander scheme of pleasure giving could have been devised for thu 1 rich or the poor At the break of day tht
 millions of night-robed children and theii loud, glad voices send praise to thu l Giver of all good with natural exulta'
 tion. They are glad, and the world II
 theirs. Christmas Day Is an epoch II
 their lives in reality. And thus 1t shal | ever be, as history tells the Christ sfor!
 to the world. and the Christian faiti grows with the ages. Yesterday tn'
 streets and stores were filled with foik