The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-12-23
CHRISTMAS.

CHRISTMAS.
Next Saturday we shall be keeping the
anniversary of the greatest day that ever
dawned upon the human race-the birth
day of Christ. Weshall recall the memory
OF the grandest fact that ever wove itself
into the web of human history-the fact
that the Son of God came in the lOwliness
of human nature to save humanity.
The Christ theme will never die. First
heard on the plains of Bethlehem, with the
frowning Herod- temple but three miles
away, within whose walls were heard the
teachings ofrevenge and love of self; heard
there for the first time, it has been sound
ing ever since, spreading wider and wider
until now it encompasses the whole earth.
In Christi day Rome had waxed to its noon
of majesty, yet Rome passed and was not.
On that kingdom rose other kingdoms,
which persisted in their turn. Since He
lived one system after another system of
philosophy has been built up, only to be
torn down again. But the words of the
Christ be and abide, and they shall stand
forever Influencing men to nobler lives and
higher results in living. His kingdom is
an everlasting kingdom, and of its dura-
ton there shall be no end.
The records of the various years do not
widely vary. When analysed and reduced
to their component elements they are alike
made up of sorrow and happiness. In those
people who make up the unfortunate part of
our communities, the sorrow weighs more
heavily than the happiness. In those whom
the world considers fortunate, happiness is
the outweighing ingredient in their lives.
i1p hos two fpna iS a
mucb-loved holiday. 1t means to all in which
cares may be laid aside and the soul and
mind dedicated to the most thorough enjoy
ment of all the blessings that lie in our way,
ignoring and shutting out entirely the trials
and vain pursuits of the year that has gone
and of the present. The round of sorrows
that must ever come to all-the thorns in
the pathway of even those most truly
they were not.
day to unselfish influences is born Of the
teachings of Hin whose birth the day COM
memorates. His the life beautiful, the life
rounded, the only completely perfect life.
He taught the lessons of love, gentleness,
Christmas Day links together all dspen-
with mankind. The old order was time
of preparation, the new one of fufllment,
the one shows the finished pedestal, the
other the faultless statue. What the patri-
arch and prophet was promised for US has
been fulfilled. What they longed for we
have. The star which they stretched forth
to see has risen and shines upon the path
way of our lives in Him whose birthday We
keep.
It is day of mirth and gladness-aye
and the eagerrushing about the homes with
merry shouts and joyous greeting for all
the hone-c coming of the absent aud the
gathering of all about the family. To those
who are resting, like autumn leaves, along
the shutdown Of life, how its glad greeting
will touch the key of memory and lead
them to the soft and hallowed spots Of the
beautiful long ago-to the old fireplace.
where, perhaps, the fire has gone out and
the hearthstone grown cold; to the old arm
chair and its companion piece-both now
vacant!
For every body Christmas brings its glad
tidings. 1t brings all into closer friend
ship and men and women seem more The
creatures Of common stock. 1t recreates
the past and strengthens faith in old tradi-
tons. There are those who would Danish
the day, this beautiful time that melts the
snow from off the heardest heart and makes
the world happier and better. But reason
and faith cry out against it; the DID, old
story that the angels brought from heaven
on that first Christmas night has its strong
hold in the hearts of men; the message Of
peace and love reached the lost chord OF
ages, and will live while faith is faith and
hope is hope. There are many homes to-
day in which loved ones are missing-ten-
der, loving hearts that held our own and
beat responsive in the Christmas night just
one year ago. But the heart will keep it's
memories, though life itself be past; it
holds the absent ones, the vacant chair, in
its shrine. And so, to all good friends.
absent and near, happy, happy Christ
mas, and many more.