Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-25
President Sets Example and
Toys Vie With Reunions,
Dinners and Trees.
SERVICE AND RED CROSS
FLAGS DEPICT SACRIFICE
Many Homes Saddened by Absence
Of Loved Ones, While Warriors
Return in Others Bring Joy.

Washington today experienced its
first Christmas since the nation entered
the world war; Christmas saddened
but dignifed in many homes by the alb
senee of loved ones, gone to fight that
peace and good will may again prevail
among mankind.
In the mist and fog of early Christ
mas morn. :he streets were almost de-
serted. But he who came down town
at that hour might have seen nebulous
splotches of light from windows where
Christmas trees were visible. In the
foreground of nearly every picture was
a service flag or a Red Cross flag, or
both.
1t was mute testimony that amid
sacrifice of men and money that an
ugly thing might be crushed for all
time. the spirit OF the Prince of Peace
still rules the hearts of men.
Santa Floors Mars.
Probably for the first time since the
United States has had a part in the
war war preparation was at an absolute
standstill. Santa Claus conquered Mars.
for the day. Children were made happy.
r OF week past. until the climax OF
the Christmas shopping throng was
reached last night, it has been appar-
ent that the capital of nation with
all its deep consciousness of an arduous
task ahead, is going about the work
with light heart; with something of
that cheerful fortitude that. has made
the French people the wonder of mod
ern civilization.
The head of the nation set the ex-
ample. He paused yesterday from his
responsible task to go with Mrs. Will
son into toy shops to prepare for the
decoration of a tree at the White House,
where his three grandchildren express
ed the joyous spirit of the day. Later
yesterday Mrs. Wilson went into Vir-
ginia, the President being too busy to
go, and distributed gifts among little
children who won the Presidents af-
lection by salutes as he motored out to
a golf course.
1t was Washington's first dry Christ
ment noted in past years for dispensing
christmas cheer told the story
Three cases of milk awaiting the Gus
todian, himself leftover of the DAYS
of bartenders, gave portent of how
thirst is to be quenched Christmas, 1917.
Soldiers Visit Homes.
The real Christmas story of today
was to be found in homes. 1t was re-
peated over and over again; the Christ
mas homecoming of some stalwart.
square shouldered, weather hardened
man or lad in uniform, sober. perhaps,
in the thought of what he may face.
but sustained by the deep recognition
that he is called upon to avenge the
violation of the spirit of this day, and
by the keen pride in him of mothers
friends and sweethearts.
Church services were better attended
than ever before on Christmas day.
Clergymen hold that the war has
brought to America a spiritual awaken
ing and a realization of the deeper
meanings of life as it did to England.
and their faith seemed to find justifica-
ton In the widespread commemo-ation
OF the day in places of worship. A
favorite text was that cryptic utterance
OF Him whom men honor today. who
said he came to bring not peace, but a
sword.
Even theater was usurped to cele-
brate one of the great moral victories
OF the war. the retaking of Jerusalem
from the hands of the Turks by Chris
tian allied nation