The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21th., 1921 CHRISTMAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21th., 1921 CHRISTMAS.

Birthdays are a milestone recurring annually in the lives of all—and invariably recognised in some way because of the inherent interest of tho event. Christmas lias come to be a. birthday for the whole world. It marks an event over nineteen hundred years old, but time does not efface the interest in the event. Tho world has taken tho Christmas date very much to itself, and made it the chief event of the calendar. It is a time which by custom and usage occupies a special place in the minds of peoplo. It is in point of fact, something more than a milestone—it is a halting place as it were, where the world ceased in its busy round ami takes count of time. It is a time apportioned to home life in particular for family reunions. Relatives and friends gather from far and near, and so make the occasion one of particular interest. Christmas in all lands, in all climes has this happy observance. It is a season of good will of kindly greeting, of personal touch, Dickens has embalmed the Christmas spirit in his delightful stories and that spirit of peace and contentment, good will to all, is rampant to-day. It says something for the advancement of humanity that at this time there is an earnest striving by the nations of the earth for betterment —for peace and goodwill. In the Washington Conference we have a conclave of great people disclosing a universal longing for peace. And in the fullness of time

it would seem thoir.great goal—which so short a time ago seemed impossible will become a veritable reality. Wo have the great controversy in regard to Irish affairs progressing wo believe satisfactorily, after years of misunder-

standing and settled, no more welcome

Christmas Box would he acceptable to , the Empire. So at this time there

is particular cause to greet Christmas in the truest spirit of the times. In „iii' own oO tin try wo have our own troubles and difficulties, hut they are not overwhelming. The country is capable of achieving greatness and fully retrieving herself. The times rail for courage and above all work. Me have to rebuild our financial fortunes, dislocated for the time being by the circumstances of the war and its aftermath. But we have n peace time ahead of us and being of good cheer all things are possible. In the hearteist spirit of the times we wish our readers A MERRY CHRISTMAS.