The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1931. CHRISTMAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1931, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1931. CHRISTMAS.

We are again on the threshold of the I great world festival, honored anu ■ revered iu so many climes. Christmas I brings a message of goodwill and I hope, and ia always a welcome visitation. It is a milestone where fam- . dies and friends meet, drawn together by a common faith, and a desire to utilise the time in the ngnt way. It is in point of fact, the festival of the young, who are taugnt the story ages old when Christianity had its foundation. Its special mesk wage is one of peace and goodwill to all, and this storm tossed world surely has need of tho application of those two principles in reality. Will vne spirit of Christmas be really abroad in the high places l of the world guiding the destinies of vast peoples, we may ask If that should be truly .so, then indeed this will be a Christmas to remember for all time. It falls at tlie close of a very difficult year, and is the brief stopping place, it were, before we venture on a new year which might he even more difficult. There is a general financial stringency menacing the whole world. Even countries which have hoarded gold, have their problems of serious unemployment. The debts bearing down on the nations and the hasty remedies to mend the position, have broken down ;the machinery of tradfe. The world is- very much out of joint, as it were, now, and the immediate future i-s clouded with difficulties. If the message of Christmas but entered the hearts of the world leaders, and gave them the wish to spread benign peace and goodwill, how easy would it he to do so, and what a prospect such opens up. But human nature is always subject to its weakinessesj and international rivalries and jealousies block the ways. Still, there is always a leaven working for good. The world is not.wholly bad, and the ordeal of the present experiences is opening tho eyes of those who would not see before, just where the world is heading. That is an encouraging sign and gives hope for the future. While we wart for the betterment to arrive, we can at least strive to help its earlier realisation. In our own sphere, there, are always those who need some help and some assistance. The authorities have just- made an appeal on their behalf. It is the nature of the people here to respond liberally and we can feel that will be done. The time of the children will he brightened a.t this occasion so distinctly marked for the young people. Santa Claus is on the ■wing and will pay his usual calls bringing pleasure and delight to many a young heart. It will be no mean achievement to bring that to pass for it is in keeping with the spirit of Christmas, and without the joy of giving, Christmas would be robbed of its greatest trait. The world may be unhappy and not without occasion, but joy may be brought to many and particularly to the younger generation whose lives are moulded in no small degree by the festival of Christmas and its import. We hope all our readers will have the means to enjoy the festival, and we certainly wish our readers A MERRY CHRISTMAS.