The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1916-12-08
The New acommunItyv chrlstmas

The New Community" Christmas
The experiments OF the past three
years have proved the value of the
community idea of Christmas-holiday
celebration New York, Boston and
Hartford began in 1912 to provide
wholesome entertainment for all the
people. 1T was well conceived" says
The Living Church (Milwaukee)
| that, If public program OF music
and song was held In some public cen
| ter in the open air, temperate and
helpful observance of the holiday
might be enjoyed by large number
who would thus be diverted to better
thoughts and surroundings" Chicago
promptly adopted the plan in 1913, as
did Philadelphia, Cincinnati. Balti-
more, Washington, and other wide
awake centers. The list was increased
in 1914, and this year viii doubtless
see still further extensions. Back of
this new form of observance, says
The Living Church, are the deeper
social thought and a serious purpose
that appeals to the highest senti-
ments.' There is a twofold purpose
in these efforts TO achieve practical
results.
ITO develop the Christmas feeling
through all classes of the community
and to awaken memories OF home in
the social derelicts of the city. 1t is.
with good reason, believed that the
thoughts Of home, the recollection Of
childhood's joys, and the inspiration
of religion may be utilized to move
many prodigal sons and prodigal
daughters to say to themselves, 4 will
arise and go to my Father.
THE appTeciatiye crowds that were
attracted to the beautiful Tree Of
Light in Madison Square, New York
City. were proof of the need IN the
great metropolis There were ten
thousand people gathered around it at
midnight Christmas eve. The unani-
nous participation Of the audiences in
the songs (every night during holiday
week. was delightful to hear They
sang Nearer. My God to Thee, other
familiar hymns. and Christmas carols.
net forgetting America and The Star
Spangled Banner
In Baltimore, il should be noted,
the celebration has not only blest the
pleased participants, the lonely, the
tempted, and burdened, but II has
blest those who planned it. The com
munity celebration there evoked
wonderful union OF all religious bod.
les. Sectional social, political, and
religious lines were abolished for the
time being. 1t was emphatically a
season Of holiday good feeling, the
effect of which are likely to be per
manent
There are not many occupations or
recreations in which all classes OF the
community participate. Outside of the
family circle there stands the Church.
The club, social set, or some other
subdivision Of the community with
which the individual has some per
sonal connection. It has been pointed
out that recreation has usually been
dealt with as an individual matter
And every city. as regards its recrsa-
tive plans. is not so much a commune
ty as a heap Of disconnected units
1T was found By leader in the
New York City celebration, who
watched closely the Christ-tree
crowds that many who had wandered
far from home and from God had
thoughts of home awakened and
found all that was best in them stirred
by the beautiful festival (Which was
theirs TO enjoy in common with all the
rest, and by their own joining in the
songs OF a happy Christian child,
hood-the first music OF the sort in
which they had had part for many
a long year
How much better it is that Christ
mas and New Years should be OBJ
served in this sensible way rather
than by carousing. gambling. and by
doubtful amusements which bring on
ly ashes and sorrow for imaginary
pleasurel
The new community celebration OF
gladnesg and friendliness was bound
to spread and take root. Its symbol
Is the lovely drtree now planted in the
center OF numerous city parks in all
sections blazing into beauty, holiday
week-a beacon of the better day
when each mans wenl shall be every
mans care. Literary Digest.
Clock Watchers.