Perth Amboy evening news., 1923-12-24

Christmas. 1928. None so high, none so low, none so hardened,
none so embittered, to whom this day Is meaningless. 10 some IL
brings memories of childhood and the mothers love that blessed
It. to some memories peoples with dear ones gone or ABSENT u all
II brings thoughts that melt the heart to tenderness. For it is a
day that is identified with happiness, with love, with Kindness
Santa Claus rides across the world. Grown-ups may not feel
his presence, but the children do-because they believe IN MIN
And guardian angels sing, "Peace on earth, good will toward
men, Millions may not hear them, but those who love their Goa
and their fellows do, for they believe in the divinity OF that
message. The spirit of Christmas, cheering, comforting, heartenmg
walks abroad today. The oyerhardened, the emblttered, te
selfish. the greedy. the unregenerated Scrooges, may not realize its
full value, but those whose hearts beat warm and true, whose VISION
IS not distorted with evil, whose souls are in accord with humanity
whose thoughts run straight and clean will.
Christmas comes only once a year, but its spirit works a
recurring miracle that survives until the revolving months bring
it around again. It may become weak at times, but those VINO
eeally enter into the Christmas spirit and who permit the Christmas
Apirit to enter into them are of the kind that make life ON this old
9vanet worth living and that can be counted on to hear the call OF
need and want and suffering whenever it may come and from
\ Ehatever quarter, for they have charity and understanding and
/ Sympathy in their hearts.
The story of Santa is just a lovely myth for children, realsts
/ nav saw, and Christmas is simply a holiday around which
unreasonable customs cling. But myths may function as effectively
Is realities, when faith is strong and hearts are pure. And
hunfeasonsble' customs may play as important a part as Wlsest
practices. when they are followed in the right spirit.
Strip the world of all except the things that measure up to
tbe tests Of cold reason, and it would be a bleak place of residence.
NThe warm handclasp, the pat on the back, may not appear worm
while in the eyes of reason, but they are many times worm
while to the doWnhearted whom they encourage IL VI >
| dss may not stand reasons test, but to the child it. is a thing above
price.
1t is good for man to walk by the tune his heartstrings play,
lis at Christmas, to lay aside the harsh business of life for a day
and declare truce in the battle that pilgrims of earth are sentenced
No fight. The spirit of Christmas urges all to realize the bond OF
humanity and to devote themselves to making each other happy,
sure in the knowledge that pleasure can not be given without being
received, that happiness grows with sharing.
The survival of Christmas celebration and the growing zest
with which it is hailed bears testimony to the youth of this world
that refuses to surrender to the passing of centuries, to the
steadfastness of its soul that declines to be embttered by
misfortunes, to its umwavering charity and kindness that still live
In.
Let cynics say what they will about the shortcomings Of the
resent and prophesy what doom they may for the future, the
II sponse Of the peoples to the call of this festive season refutes
EN-. The general happiness that today prevails throughout the
md may somewhat fade later on, but the people have shown that
hey can lay aside their troubles long enough to be happy and
ave proved that they know how to make each other happy, and
when they can do those things, God is still in His heaven, and all
can not be wrong with the world.