The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1914-12-22
Christmas,

manner it is still a religious festival.
Commemorating the birth OF Jesus
of Nazareth the Church (using that
term in the broadcast sense) enJolns
observance of the day and has pro-
vided services that are impressive and
beautiful. Especially is this so in the
communions of the Roman Catholic,
the Anglican Establishment, the
protestant Episcopal, the Lutheran
and the Greek churches. 1t is not
matter of moment that the Christmas
with the Greek churches will not
come until two weeks hence. That
is merely a matter of the calendar
used by different peoples in differ
ent countries. 1t is so as to the
Easter festival, too. And what does
If matter? AS mattre of fact, the
religious significance of Christmas
has diminished, even with those
Christian peoples who keep it with
most zest 1t is still religious fes-
Rival to an extent. Church bells will
peal the world over, and Christmas
music and sermons be heard in
thousands of churches. And the
services and music will impress and
delight
But for all that the evolution of
the years has made of Christmas the
worlds greatest day of good will, of.
10Y. of good fellowship. And be-
cause it commentaries the birth of
child the world has made it chill
. dren's day, too-a time to try to pro-
mote the joy of little ones. That is
why we tell the children in the quaint
but timely way of Santa Claus;
that is why on Christmas we con-
slider the children first, in the matter
of gifts-and then go as far as we
can in the work of promoting cheer
fuIress and good will or the part of
friends and neighbOrs. That is why
we are willing to do somewhat at
Christmas for the poor and suffering,
why our hearts warm somewhat to
the lowly and luckIess, even to the
4'down and out" Thus it is that
Christmas has come to be the festi-
tival of the Jew about as much so as
of the Christian. 1t is the time when
most of us open our hearts and
minds, and men who are ordinarily
callous warm to it's influence, respond
to its promptings.
And yet, let us be glad that it is
so. There is much misObservance of
Christmas, we must admit. There
are those who utilize it for debauch-
cry, and that's a pity. But they are
the exception and not the rule.
There are many, we must believe,
Wtc 90 'o0 for in responding to gen
erous tc0ulscs, who are unwise and
even foolish in the matter of giving.
The effect of this on children may be
(an6 e0metir'as isl anything but
L1C-tzome. The child is educated to
expect much and it will be fortunate
If a spirit of greed is not fostered.
1t will be prone to estimate the love
of parents and friends by the cost
and nature of gifts. The parent who
is at all observant and thoughtful will
recognize the danger that turks here.
Wisdom. no less than solicitude, for
the welfare of the child will suggest
care. Selfshness and g eed in child
mood may develop, in later life into
wnfuIlness and ingratitude.
But. thank Cod. the average free
hearted child is easily pleased, and
when love is also wise we can go
ahead with the joyous privilege of
making children happy at Christmas.
For what is it that gives more hap
piness than the privilege of making a
child happy? That is why we would
not willingly disillusion a little child
as to the verify of the Santa Claus
legend That beautiful, tender myth
las rat the sunshine of joy in the
hearts Of countless millions of little
ones. and that 't.Ht will shine in the
Ieartz Of ccunt'rzs millions to come
Realization ccres early enough.
Aud ~ With these little ones so
with tho Grown folk. Our Christmas
has come to be a season of geniality
and sympathy and kindness of heart
with all. Few are the grown-up men
and women who do not yield to the
spirit of the day, 1t arouses kindly
sentiment; it kindles sympathy; it is
conducive to compassion and for
bearance; it puts sunshine into all
hearts. Who shall say that it is not
better for all of US that this is so?
Who would change or even modify it
materially? Grant that it has its
phases that are not wholesome or
desirable Grant that there is some
what of recklessenss in generosity
and unseemly conviviality. You
can't obyiate that We are all very
human. and with the good there Il
some bad and much that is foolish
But even with that we have evolved
a festival-one day in the year
AHHF ? ra- 0~-0of NJ M o4bar +iy,,o