The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-12-27
The Christmas Spirit.

Editor The Virginian:
Sir'-Everybody in our town is inocGlated with
the spirit of the greatest of all holidays, 1t
Is the case everywhere, which is perfectly natu-
rail- as the time draws A walk on our
streets demonstrates how the Christmas spirit
is prevalent and how old and young are in
huenced by this spirit at the present.
1t seems to this writer that the very looks
OF the busy pedestrians who throng our streets
and the salutations of friends they meet in
stores serve TO accentuate the nearness OF the
happy season, while the stores in their display
OF goods to entice the purchaser to buy deepens
this indiscribable charming Christmas feeling.
1t Is impossible to put in words the true
Christmas feeling. For one thing. the season
awakens tender memories Of a past which be-
comes vivid recall the old home the
into the great beyond The child-l spirit
comes to take possession of though may
have passed a number of miestones on life's
journey. 1t does all good to think upon the
days of childhood and note the steps we have
made in life's journey. If Christmas only
minded of childhood days it would serve a
good purpose. but there are valuable les
sons it teaches which should not fail to
catch and heed.
Men at this season are moved to deeds OF
generosity as they not moved at other times
One need not go far to discover the cause for
TINS. 1t is akin though it Is sometimes abused
to the God-like spirit which prompted the gift
Of Christ whose birth in Bethlehem the sea-
son celebrates This Is the time to give pres
ents and TO remember the poor and needy
Generosity Is noble trait and those who give
ind the secret of happiness. There are many
sad hearts to cheer and many who will need
the aid Of those who able to give Espe-
cially in our cities and towns there many
poor\and needy ones ard our Heavenly Father
expects those of His children who are blessed
with plenty of this worlds goods to aid them.
BY doing this the happiest and best Christmas
viii be spent This holiday is excellent time
Tor people to look into their hearts and see
4 here be any trace of unbrotherly feeling
II they have unforgiyng spirit. If we
DON'T love our fellowman will miss the true
meaning of tho glad holiday, If we are distant
humble ones haven't the spirit OF our
Master
The true Christmas spirit gives no encourage
ment to bacchanalian revelry and drunkenness
To celebrate the holiday by carousing drunken
ness and excessive feasting Is to dshonor and
debauch the glad season. A sane sensible
temperate observance Of the holiday the world
Is waking up to see is better way to honor IT,
Harmless innocent mirth and amusement are
proper, but II Is very easy for people to fall into
the snare OF harmful dissipation There are no
rigid rules to be observed In honornK the occa-
sion and latitude should be given in the matter
but we must be careful lest we dishonor the ho-
iday which commentaries the birth OF the
Christ What charm does this annual holiday
bring into the homes of our land, and into
family circles which have been broken in SO
many instances and who are brought together
We stop here and let the readers imagination
E. P. PARKHAM.
Petersburg Va