Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-22
fRzSSG5ia:@::5!!!!!5g!"::;2|zi;;':;:;;:i(!I
& HA0 b MISS SSNwY5EH/FR
~ ~ LIZZIE O THOMAS Mgs91T
CHRISTMAS.

CHRISTIANS.
While shepherds watched their hoeks
by night.
All seated on the ground.
The angel Of the Lord came down
And glory shone around.
Fear not" said he. for mighty dread
Hhad seized their troubled mind.
Glad tidings OF great JOY bring
To you and all mankind"
Today as look over the snowy scene
I think of the little Babe in Bethlehem
and rejoice that the season for Mary and
Joseph and that host OF Israelites was
not such as now grips US Balmy April
weather. the sort that permits. even in
vues the people Of Palestine 10 sleep out
OF doors was with them when all or
Judah's tribe was called together 10 have
the census taken.
..When shepherds watched their fiOcks
BY night" was vividly brought to my
mind when I was in that Eastern land
and saw men spending the nights IN
their fields 10 preserve their crops from
thieves Where there was TO be only one
watcher there was sort OF plaaIorm
built OF Of the ground. an elevated place
To sit and watch the surrounding reIds'
and a protection from reptiles or beasts
Their food in small compass and their
tea in a bottle The worst snOwstorn
that 1 have ever Witnessed is on US The
wind is a veritable gale and the hakes
are too thick for one 20 see much thas
is going on. God pity the poor such
weather.
When we sit i'm warm rooms with food
and clothing 10 keep us comfortable and
.emember how many that have been as
carefully raised are cold and hunsry
through no fault OF their own, We are not
surprised that one class of people try TO
take the law out OF the hands OF some
rulers and do desperate things in their
EFFORTS to ameliorate the condi-
ton of the poOre. But in this
CHRISTMAS Chat there is one idea that
would like TO impress on your minds
those shepherds were attending 10 thelr
own business. Do you get the lesson
They were not the sort that say If or
-but.~ They doubtless told OF their
wonderful vision to their friends ana
doubtless many said, why couid nave
seen IL il I had taken care OF my Hook
ss Won do. but it's a job 1 don't always
follow. 1 got sO-and-so and ne went
with you
Trims what those wise men would
have missed if they had not been at
tending to their business. suppose they
had decided that there would not De
variation enough in the stars Tor one
night to make any difference and hao
missed seeing the wonderful star! II
is well TO take the presidents lesson 10
heart and always be ready
As the Hfnd continues to howl and
the snow TO MI crevices and cover the
earth. hundDeds. nay thousands. OF wo-
men and children will shiver in TINS
freezing temperature because the
man 90 of the house is born procras-
tfnator and never does the things that
he can get out OF. Take this Christmas
lesson home. and out OF your abundance
you will be able TO help some one whose
suppIv was not gathered in time It's
truly more pleasant to give than receive
. if you have to receive because there was
a lack OF forethought or energy.
Do YOU remember the lesson OF the
I'VE wise and five foolish virgins? That
characteristic is not confined TO the
women in a family.
Friday will find most OF you busy pre-
pairing for Santa Claus. We have our
school tree that afternoon and 1. sup
pose there viii be a great many teach
ers in every part OF the country who
will do likewise. Simple. inexpensive
things will gladden. the hearts of the
ehIldres and put happy memory away
for the years that are to come.
Had 1 the wealth that a millionaire
mas my pet giving NOuAu DC 10 the
little children TO whom 'misfortunes
have come. and Ia ease the hearts OF the
parents VINO at Christmas time must
listen 10 plans that they have not a
penny to fulfill Hunger and cold and
disappointments are what all OF us
should try TO keep from little children.
But as that seems to be impossible. let's
do the best that we can for everybody
and perhaps TO US will be given q vision
OF light and music.
Wishing you throughout this holiday
season JOY, peace and sweet content,
am. faithfully yours.
LIZZIE o. THOMAS.
Tuscumbia, Ala