The Coolidge examiner., 1931-12-18


"E:&S sOns fail TO dampen.
1t is a WONDERFUL thing
this spirit of Christmas, in the name of which
we open hearts and pocketbOOkS in a Stupendous
effort to make JOY universal for at least day
year. When we stop to analyse it, clearing
away from it the tarnshed tinsel and candle
drippngs with which many years of sentimental
fty and commercial exploitation have to some
extent covered it, find it based after all on
the most lasting, worthwhile and certainly the
most pleasurable of human instincts. There will
always. of course be Scrooges to sneer and
fiOut the spirit of Christmas, and busy business
men who will send the stenographer out to buy
the wife'S present or else sign few checks
and be glad it's over and unhappy mortals
who give because they have received or expect
to receive hope to outdo the rest of the girls
in the bridge club. But fundamentally the spir-
1t of Christmas is sound and true and health
full. as is probably, right when depleted
bank accounts and curtailed wages put new
significance on gift-giving and indulgence in in
nOcent merrymakng for the sake of faith or
a tradition, being demonstrated more cOnvinc-
ingly than ever before.
What else but the real spirit of Christmas
makes it possible for us to go into ecstaces
over an off-shade necktie from Cousin Kitty, or
a scrap of silk underwear three times too small
from school mate who hasn't seen us since
twenty-one and a perfect size six
teen? What else gives us the strength, now that
there are only few more shopping days" to
go. to dive into crowded stores. elbow through
crowds, and to pay more than we intended for
something we are not sure will please.
Gift giving itself is founded upon the noblest
sentiment of them all, the very heart and soul
of Christmas. which is after all merely the an
nual celebration of a great Gift. The custom Of
exchanging gifts as we today practice it dates
from the first offerings made to the Nordic god
Frey for fruitful year. Saint Nicholas the Fifth
century bishop who is said to have inspired our
modern Santa Claus distinguished himself by
his lavish gifts to the poor of Lyca, Asia Minor.
Like Christmas feasting, however, giving reached
extravagant heights during the Fifteenth and
Sixteenth centuries, and Queen Elizabeth is
said to have received almost her entire per-
sonal wardrobe as Christmas gifts from her
courtierS and unbelievable quantity of prec-
ious jewels. Introduced into this country by the
first Dutch settlers the custom of filling the
childrens stockings. and heaping presents upon
young and old alike has become one of the most
important things about Christmas
Nor is there any indication that there will be
less gifts given this Christmas than in previous
fatter years When figures showing the total
savings represented by the various Christmas
savings clubs throughout the country were pub
lished recently. they showed the staggering sum
of $593, ,O00,O ,O00 6 per cent less in actual money
than last year. but much more in real purchasing
power due to debated prices. 1t has further been
estimated that fully 40 per cent of this total
annual savings is actually used in making Christ
mas purchases. while an additional per cent
this year probably much more. can always be
counted on for educational and charitable uses
Certainly there will be no dminuton in the
amounts of charity gifts this year. National
unemployment relief programs local drives by
charitable organizations. and individual gifts
old clothing, baskets of food, money, toys will
surely be made in greater abundance and in
closer accord with the real spirit of Christmas
than ever before.
One of the most painless methods by which
we join in the universal philanthropy demanded
annually at Christmas time is by the purchase of
Christmas seals This is the twenty-ffth ami
Versary of the Christmas seal in this country
The idea was first utilized in financing health
work in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1904
postal clerk, familiar with the vast numbers
OF packages mailed at this time of year sug-
gested it as a means of raising money for
charity hospital. One of the original Danish
seals, stuck onto a Christmas package reached
Jacob Ris, social reformer and friend of Theo-