Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-30
Editors Letter Box
What the Christmas Tree Said,
ltor Kennebec Journal:

Editor kennebec Journal:
The above is the subject of a most
beautiful story written after that first
public Christmas tree in New York
city; the one that set an example for
the whole country.
But after looking on, the scene of our
public tree just past, l wonder if it's
story might NOT be some different than
that Of the wonderful tree we were
initiating. Perhaps it might have had
such thoughts as these
My heart ached as | saw Santa Claus
throwing into the crowd bags of pop
corn and candy for greedy boys and
girls to scramble and jump after and
much of the corn bursting out in
waste. And then to see him throw
the sheets of carols in punches, some
to be caught and used but many to be
trampled under feet. Then during the
music more candy bags thrown out, the
crowd still scramblinS, and all beauty
and reverence being lost.
And | thought if like the tree in
Madison Square | was to see and hear
Of hearts being touched and softened
on Christmas eve and the Christ spirit
felt at this time, then surely different
plans must be made.
Why not do away with the corn and
candy bags and use such money as
they represent to buy medicine and
comforts for a poor or sick child? Give
the boys and girls an opportunity be-
fore hand to contribute towards this
fund and let it be offered in reverence
at the foot of the tree by Santa to the
Christ Child, from the children of Au-
susta as their sitts Of gold. franklin
cense and myrrh. Then would they
realize the higher and true spirit of
Christmas. And While the crowd is
gathering let several children in an or
DERBY way pass about one at a time,
the sheets of carols Then when the
hour arrives all will be in readiness to
sing joyfully with the large mixed
choir that should lead them.
This would seem the better way of
honoring Him who was the greatest
Gift ever given to mankind.
Think Of a crowd If children greedily
jumping about for one or more bags of
corn aud never once joining to sing
their carols Of JOY and thanksgiving
that q Saviour is born TO them.
" Why, should such a crowd as was
gathered about that tree break forth
into singing it must be like the heav-
cnly hosts singing Glory to God in the
highest ana on earth Peace, Good Will
toward men. And the many hearts
that would be gladdened by such
service,
Not only should the children be pre-
Sentmg their gifts but learning that
the evergreen tree has always been the
symbol Of the immortal Tree of Life,
that divine tree that knows no death.
That the Christmas Tree with the
wonderful star above) has become a
symbol of Immortality, of eternal life
ana eternal growth"
And it is this very spirit of unset
fshness as eXomplilied by our Saviour
that we must all catch, not alone at
this season but throughout the year
aud our lives; not always in the big
things either but so many, many times
in the smallest, thus doing away with
the selfish ambitions 50 Woefuly I'M
dermining our nation.
And thus only can we keep our
selves (not be fopD but keep our
selves and our country from being
swallowed up in the dreadful turmoil
now existing among so many nations.
]. +. S.