The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 24th, 1923. CHRISTMAS, 1923.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, DECEMBER 24th, 1923. CHRISTMAS, 1923.

luk great Christian Festival is with us once more, anti throughout Christendom ilie spirit of Christmas will animate the people. What is the spirit ot Cnristma* ? It is contained in the grand message of ‘‘Ponce on earth and goodwill toward men.” In the long years that have elapsed since the foundation of the Christian era, nothing has been added and nothing subtracted from that glorious message. The principle of goodwill which is the basis of our present day observance of Christmas. is spiritual in its origin, and although many pleasing customs have grown up, the principle of goodwill leavens them all. Christians ought really to le thankful for such a festival, for it inculcates so many beautiful lessons ano the humanity that pervades and ennobles the Christmas season is sanctified by many deeds which may be simple in themselves, hut which are nevertheless spiritually Beautiful. Christmas may he called the great family sacrament. The linos of travel from cities, towns and villages radiate in all directions, and steamers, trains, motor ears and other methods of mechanical t: net ion, will have carried thousands of wandering children hack to the family roof tree. The family gatherings at Christmas have a spiritual setting. Those of our rentiers who are receiving the homage ami sweetly beautiful human love of their children and grandchildren, will recall many a Christmas when they, too, repaired to the family hope and gladdened the hearts of their

parents. This family sacrament goes on year after year at every Christmas and there is nothing of its sweet ness lost by repetition. Jt will he a new am! pleasant experience in many homes this Christmas, just as it was last Cfliistmes and as it will he for many Christmases still in the womb of time, "Home, Sweet Home” is the Christmas Carol to many fortunate ones,

I> ll l, alas there are many others who must a crept Christinas without any of the human joy, or homely sweetness that comes to the family circle. That of course, is an inevitable contrast but

it does not ncci-.-atily follow that the loiicly ones are not happy and contented. The sweetness op Cnristmas is too inieetfous for .iiivone to esivpti its influence. Christmas is. also, iit a special <L.grie, tile children's festival and almost from time immemorial a great fuss lias been inadt of the children and this is easily understood, loi its inspiration is derived from tec “Babe ol" Bethlehem.” Tile children enter into our home life and mu spiritual life they are God’s wondrous gifts to mankind, and “Suffer little children unto me for ol such is the Kingdom of God". Suiely we do light in dedicating Christinas to the children, and be would be a churlish individual who would .seek to rob us of Christmas. Again, wliat a poweiful inllueiioo ("riri.stmas lias upon us as individuals and as a community. Men and woman who at other times would resent a. gift a.s savouring of charity, at Christmas time gladly and cheerfully give and receive gifts, each knowing that the gifts cany with them the heartiest of goodwill. Christmas is a time when the poor forget and the rich unbend, and when the highest attribute of human nature—love, unselfish iove— limis scope for full (day. and in tile expiession of joyful, earnest wisher tor A MERRY CHRISTMAS.