Milford chronicle. [volume] (Milford, Del.) 1878-1974, 1923-12-21
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THE SPIRIT of Christmas swells
and runs high through every Christian
land in the world at this time, while
many beautiful thoughts are expressed
by those who direct the departments
of thought in the many publications,
which deserve to be studied and ap-
piled by most people. An editorial in
the Baltimore Sun of Sunday last, I'M
der the caption of THE Week Before
Christmas" very appropriately says:
We have heard a lot about the
night before Christmas, thanks to the
elfn fancy of Mr.. Clement Moore, of
sacred memory, but it is a wonder no
one has ever put into literature the
spirit of the week before Christmas.
1t takes wholly week to hold it all.
The wild excitement. The dancing &C.
tasy. The childhood thrill. The wait
ing expectancy.
1t is not alone a week of childhood
rapture merely. Unto older hearts is
transmitted some Of the inspiration of
the season, and who goes window
shopping oftener than the old folk, or
store-hunting oftener than the grown
ups, with their vain excuses that they
are doing it all on account of the chill
dren? All, sly and subtle creatures!
But we know, as they know, that,
truth is, in their own hearts they are
feeling the magic of the Christmas
spell and unconsciously yielding to it.
Well, no harm is done. 1t is whole
some, happy, healthful to indulge such
inclinations. 1t makes the world bet
ter to have a bit of this feeling in it
and it is for the birth Of this feel
ing in the heart and mind that we
have such reason to be grateful to the
Christmas season.
The week before Christmas! Golden
and memorable time! Old lists being
looked over and checked off. New lists
made out. Minds changed about this
thing and that. Plans for the little
garden at the base of the tree expand
ed or curtailed, as wisdom may die
tate. James gift reconsidered, on the
ground that she would very much ra-
Their have finely framed etching than
a cherry wood escritoire; and Harry's
changed to a sport cane, and let him
choose his golf sticks for himself!
Not much work in Offices. Not much
work in trenches and mines or where
the steel beams are swung on huge
cranes to their places in some sky
scraper's wall. Oh, well, who cares?
Work will keep, and life goes on just
the same Broker and banker, mer- (
chant and mechanic, alike feel the i'm
petus of the gallant hour. Something !
of the spell of children has gotten into !
the grimmest face and under the rind 7
of the sternest heart. And the shops I
are so beautiful, the streets so gay, the +
world so full of happiness. Out, dull {
care, and horrid grind, and miserable ]
thoughts that made you grovel about 7
existence! The times have changed. 9
has hung a silver bell on v
the tongue of morning, and it is ring +
ing round the world. I
The week before Christmas! Last +
minute rush of the holiday shopping. F
Dull memories prodded into sudden 4
action by thoughts of things forgot f.
len. Odd secrecy of action in slowing :,
away the bundles slipped into the Y
house under some fantastic subter- n
iuge. House full of spicy odors of the +,
Christmas baking. Appetites sharpen Fl
I'd by thoughts of the goodies that will i,
not be tasted until the very day it. VI
;elf. The genial glow of friendly feel q,
ng fitting like soft summer sunshine W
N often-hardened faces. The slow IN
Melting of adamantine natures before OF
he warm rays of the seasons COM n
non geniality. Polite mods and bows I'll
nd little smiles to folks on the street m
instead of frowns and quirks and cr
oses turned up in scorn. m
The week before Christmas. Little of
hildren studying so hard, and mind th
1g every word that's said, and going
if to sleep at night without a muir tn
lur of dissent Running every errand III
lother wants them to without pro- nj
est. Even washing their necks be- wi
ind the ears, and keeping their ing- in,
r nails clean, and stepping clear of fe;
Il the mud, and coming in quietly, We
nd saying please" and 'Thank you les