Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1932-12-22
Christmas Reflection, 1892
Continued from page II

it would be to possess. what wonders to perform, and when
would that become a realtyf 1t looked mighty big then.
Other meditatons We're made ON that memorable evening
50 long ago, more personal, intimate; of the future, a year
from then, what? Would there be wealth. position and
happiness, and where?
Each year since then has brought its Christmas Eve re-
Elections, has marked Il sort of milestone. IL measure OF prog
ress, a review of the past and a thoughtful look to the future.
And since then. too, several of these handfus of money
have come and gone and now. there's none. Those hands
are empty now. And oh, so empty Mt Christmas time.
5000
Some of us have travelled far since starting out into this
little old world of ours. Many are the handfuls of money
that have come and gone, and many are the hands that are
empty now.
SO much seems to depend on money, it's an-important
sometimes, and now we are apparently so helpless without 1t.
Reflections on those times when 1T was plentiful only serve to
irriate and agonize.
Twas mine. lis his, and has been slave to thou
sands is a pretty good way of looking at it, and a phno-
sophieal view foo.
But our hands which appear so empty. are they 50 emp
tyr Rather, they are filled, richly filled. with those things
mat are considered more precious than gold and which gold
cannot buy, We have gained much III those years, know
ledge, experience, and a host of valuable gifts.
II we could only cash in ON some of these. perhaps n
Christmas problems would not be 50 hard. Perhaps if we
LOOK close enough we can apply some Of them in various ways
u cost II Q money, III kindness, sympathy, gratitude and
friendly understanding. There may even be less fortunate
than ourselves for whom money is no help. And we. our
Selves, may be necessary to someone's happiness.
5000
As we reflect on our situation in its various angles W 9
might look a ittle closer at what we have rather than what
might have been.
There are many Of our people here whose hearts almost
crushed with despair, vet carry on, hopeful and courageous.
They put up a brave front and get what happiness there is to
be had ut hand.
In many places we have enough to eat. feed for our
stock, but ruinously low prices and no money; where last
year there was absolutely nothing.
In the midst of last years dark hour merciful relief came
20 US generously and from many sources, but now most of
these have been exhausted. However, the noble Red Cross
IL still standing by, and together with large funds from the
Reconstruction Finance Corporation is doing m immense e.
ff again this year. The full magnitude Of this work is
hard to realize. it works silently.
5000
Our harvest OF humanity last year and the touch of
the Good Samaritan have been actual experiences and they
have enriched our lives beyond estimation. That tremen-
dous relief work SO GENEROUSLY given is now history. but NOT
vet complete We are grateful for the Iii t-.A
Many would prefer to draw the curtain, to forget in "mer-
eful oblivion the past two years. But we would be IN
grateful indeed il we refused or neglected to fully acknow-
ledge all those kindly deeds and generous services. We must
preserve them in our Christmas reflections.
It will keep alive the true Christmas spirit; it will bring
us home to ourselves, to our friends, and to that for which
Christmas stands. Will 1t bring home to MS that d handful
Ct money is not the brightest aim?
10000
Our year is drawing to a close, another year Of trial and
disappointment. Many thoughts will come to us, and what
win be the lessons learned?
In that solemn stiffness of Christmas Eve, after the hurry
and excitement Of the world dies away. when profound thot
comes TO US, upon the midnight clear" with perhaps some
echoing strains Of Christmas melodies come drifting in upon
us-what will be those Christmas reflections to SO many of
US? Where will they lead?
Some will be happy, but many will be sad who ought to
be happy.
WIN this be the beginning of meditatons, Christmas Re-
Elections, by those others with empty hands? VIII it be
meditations on life as 1t Is, why are things as they are, and a
searching thought into the future? win it be a milestone
for someone, a milestone Of happiness, or sadness, or one
towards better things? VIM that Star of Bethlehem lead
them on to a better, happier life?
What will the future hold? A year from now, what?