The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-12-24
The Discarded Christ
mas Tree.
Is It a Symbol of DisiIlusiOned
Hope? Or Can the Seasons
Cheer Abide as an Unfailing
Source of Help in Meeting
WOrkaday Problems.
By ROY L. SMITH, in the December
Rotarian.

BY RO1 IL. SMITH, In the december
Rotarian.
1t lay there in the dirty snow and
slush of the alley, al pathetic and be-
draggled little Christmas casualty
Gone were the gay little ornaments
that had made it seem. like an impor-
tation from fairyland. Only a few
strands of tangled tinsel chung dejec-
4edly to its twigs. ,,,,..
Gone also were. the twinkling lights
it had worn so airIy a few short days
ago. Instead of the glad cries Of chill
dren dancing about it in exuberant
Joy was the clatter of the rag -picker's
cart and the rumble Of the big truck
that numbered down the alley.
It was discarded Christmas tree
the most dismal and woebegone sight
in all the world. -. -.
But more pathetic than the little
tree were the hearts of those who had
carelessly tossed it out into the alley.
For one glorious day they sang and
laughed and exulted in the sheer joy
of living. A new spirit came into the
house and into their hearts-some-
thing gladdening, cleansing, hearten-
ing. Ticker-tape and bridge scores
were completely forgotten. The MAX
ing of living was submerged, for
one short day, in the merry-making.
All hearts became child hearts again,
with no room in them for aught else
than kindness and goodwill.
But next morning Mother noticed
that the needles were dropping from
the little tree and her sense of
orderliness was outraged. She could
not be cleaning up after an outworn
bit of sentiment. -, Into the alley it
must go. Christmas was over!
And next morning Father was at
the office again immersed in the daily
grind. Instead of a shouting child
upon his back, he bore the burdens of
great responsibilities upon his Shout
ders, His voice Of yesterday, so soft
and tender in the singing of old ia
miliar Christmas carols, could scarce
Iy be recognized in the brusque, snap
py tone of the "boss" as he laid plans
for the annual invoice.
Yes, Christmas was over!
1t had been tossed out into the al
ley along with the little Christmas
tree and a joyous, affectionate, hap
py family settled back to the normal
life of hurry and worry. The cheer
full outlook of the day before was
displaced by grim doggedness.
Occasionally someone rises to pro-
test the. terrible waste Of Christmas
trees-cut by the millions for the en-.
tertainment of the homes for. but q
day. The waste may be serious
opinions seem to differ. But certain
it is that mighty protest is due
against the tragic waste of Christ.
mas.
What transformation Christmas
works in our lives for one brief holi-
day! Families are returned, mothers
are made glad, little children come in
to their own, feuds are forgotten
poverty is ignored, soldiers in the
trenches exchange goodwill greetings
with their enemies across no-han's.
land, competitors wish one another
well, and harassed men and womer
surrender everywhere to the univer.
sal infection of good cheer.
For one day we really live! The
whole world is populated by race
that has become care-free, laughing
singing, gladstone children again, who
trust each other and put love where
suspicion and malice have been.
The thing most needed in banks
general managers offices, and direc.
tors rooms, as well as upon the
streets, in shipping rooms, and in fac.
tories, is the triumphant spirit thai
Christmas brings the, spirit Of faith
goodwill, and mutual trust.
Christmas is a spirit! To have thai
spirit any time makes Christmas any
time. To lose that spirit is to lose
Christmas, and all. its blessed accom-
paniment of peace and confidence and
goodwill. Anything that increases
the spirit of Christmas in the worlc
lengthens life. .'o..: ..z...
Did anyone ever try taking the
Christmas tree down, to the Office
with them the day after Christmas?