Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DEC, 24th 1919. CHRISTMAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1919, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star WEDNESDAY, DEC, 24th 1919. CHRISTMAS.

Again we are on the threshold of Christmas. Writers and public speakers tell us that the war has wrought great alteration in the world, but surely the war and wartime could not have altered the spirit of Christmas! Without the spirit of Christmas civilisation would lose its ideal, and the world would be wrecked indeed, wore the right spirit

for the festive season of the year to be destroyed. The war swept in and over { much that was good in the world, but that which wad best in human nature could not have been destroyed. At the j worst it might be submerged. If that were so, Christmas-time should bring back to ub the old time spirit, which pervading the world wrought so much good for humanity’s sake. The spirit of Christmas in its true sense brings out all that is best in human nature. It revives the flagging and sustains the tired in the busy round of life. Christmas is something more than a milestone in the journey through life. 'Rather is it a wayside stopping place where the wayfarer might rest and be refreshed, and with renewed vigor and courage go forward bravely to the end. In this , time of rest and refreshment there is the behest in the true message of Christ-

‘ mas to think and act hot for self alone, j but also for those about one. The . j special message of Christmas which | I rings round the civilised world is a uni- | • versal one to all colors and Christian j [creeds, and upon the message is found- ’ ed the faith which is the enduring sub--1 stance from which the best that is in : ! life is drawn. As it is a national mess- j age, so it is an individual message, and ; all may share in it. The true spirit* j of Christmas is the development of love . and under standing for each other; of hope and regard for all. The good will that should be more particularly cultivated now is much to he desired. The world is very troubled. It is class against class,' faction against faction. Here and there, and in far too many places, the milk of human kindness has dried up. There is strife and resistance, and disorder. Society in its wide sense is very disorganised, and social disorders are all too imminent. The statesmen are there to restore pence and good will, but they are impotent to bring about enduring reforms without first the cordial sympathy and hearing of the people. Man proposes, buf the mob disposes. A world so much out of joint needs to get the spirit of Christmas into its being. If the individuals would cultivate the true spirit of Christmas, all would be well with the nation. After all these years of existence, and experience, surely the’people have had the opportunity to learn what is required of them if a nation would be great and strong within itself! Christmas calls for a cheerful spirit, for ready giving and for kindly thoughts for others. Eschew our selfish aims and thinking only of the national good we can build up a contentea, free, people where ample surroundings would ensure to them the realisation of that wish which we now repeat in all sincerity to our readers, “A MERRY CHRISTMAS;”