The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1933 CHRISTMAS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 December 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1933 CHRISTMAS.

Again we are on the threshold of Christmas, but as the years go } the changing times create, a newer atmosphere about the festival. Or perhaps, the old ways are out of fashion, and not in keeping with the changes, Christmas is now regarded in a newer spirit. Only in respect to the little children does the joyous season still appeal with old time interest fostered by the ever fresh legend of Christmas, set in a familiar setting in every nursery ; where:

Stockings are hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”

The interests of the grown ups have become so involved in modern development and the world events move so swiftly, that there is time hardly to absorb the present, before the fuur.G, is at hand with new and more wonderful interests. A King speaks into a golden microphone in London on affairs of State, and his pleasant voice is heard all round the Empire, 'il'iousands of. miles away the Melf bourne Cup is run and beard in all detail as the spectators see it. A flying man crosses oceans and continents in hours or days, which before were measured by weeks. Explorers push into the fields of eternal ice and keep in daily touch with the world, instead of ( as heretofore, being lost in oblivion for half a year. Great and small electric contrivances do more wonderful things than ever were dreamt of. Man’s creative genius has made wonderful play ) and of course nil that has come to pass, could not have transpired' without making a

difference. The change lias been grauu.il, almost casual, so quietly has it overwhelmed us, and Christmas suffers from the change. It lias lost much of its zest. It is more fleeting nowadays. Time moves so quickly because filled with so many hurrying events. Christmas lias come quickly, is the general expression; but rather we have gone out to meet it, anxious to honour it, and then pass on hurriedly to the next adventure in life which time may present to us. All must have noticed the changing world. Nations are not as restful as they were, war gave world events an increased impetus, and the world is not slowing down. If it would only settle down! Then there would be time to adjust this and that difficulty, | and we might measure the needs of •our neighbour with those of our own. We might have the leisure then t 0 do to others as we would wish to be done by. The spirit of Christmas might then be recreated again' to us as Scrooge saw it of old. Some revelation iof that nature is necessary to retrieve the, world from its present indecent haste which neglects or misses so many of the finer duties of life. This is the season when neglected opportunities are called to mirtd, and there is room and occasion for remedying the position. Practical sympathy is c&lled for. Note how the young folks enjoy their gifts handed to them through the medium of Santa Claus. From that example of satisfaction and gratification make like excursions in the larger fields of life, and in return there is opportunity to enjoy the same happy feelings, Christmas brings openings and opportunities for evidences of goodwill and fill that is best in human intercourse., Th® season has Its purpose in the general place of life, and requires to be uged to get the most out of it. There is. a reward for so doing, and that reward we wish our readers:

A Meruy Christmas