THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1909 "A MERRY CHRISTMAS."

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 219, 23 December 1909, Page 2

THE KING COUNTRY CHRONICLE. THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 1909 "A MERRY CHRISTMAS."

"PEACE on earth; goodwill towards men" has come to all christain people down the ages, and thouph the message may have lost some of :t= rarticular local application since it was first delivered in ancient Judoa. each succeeding age has seen it? influence extend and its application broaden, unti: the proclamation is heard ar.c accepted throughout the length ar.c. breadth of the civilised world:. Tha: such a message in an obscure Eastern locality, should have grown to influence, not the Easterns to whom it was delivered, but the whole advanced civilization of the Western world is a \ marvel upon which all may speculate, j and the individual will be affected | according to the nature and manner of ! bis temperament. It is not so much with the ancient or literal meaning of the expression that most of us are con cemed, notwithstanding the beauty and simiplicity of the sentiment expressed by the proclamation. It is rather with the things which arc closely associated in our minds with our first recollections of the messag that elevates the phrase and the season to which it applies to a position, of peculiar and sacred regard. To the devout the season is one to be regarded as being secrad above all things by reason of the event which it commemorates. To the bulk of the Western world, which recks little of doctrine but much of humanity in general, the season is cherished and regarded as a period when particular effort: should be made to lighten the lot and exteqd the happiness of every living creature. To this end concious personal effort is made; hospitality is extended to all and geniality reigns supreme. Few who realise the significance of the common Christmas wish fail to rise to the occasion and forgetful of self, relax the competitive struggle and reach the hand of friendship to all and sundry It is a great. season;„ an illuminating period during which we are granted glimpses of tlv good which lies latent in man kind in general. The Britisher is commonly referred to as an undemonstrative animal, and this branch of the •parent tree transplanted to the sunny Pacific is probably bearing fruit no less distinctive than that of the Northern land. It is good for us all to

have a time when reser%c may bo cast aisde; when we can revel ur.asbam-t-;:. and display to each other qualities ;..: : sentiment which our cherish:: j. errand traditions decree shad it :.- monly kept hidden. ]-est:viiy and holiday making go ban?; i:. hand v.i.h out sunny Christmas season, an/: U'.at happiness shall rule in the eom:r..p; Christmastide is our fervent wish. "A Merry Christmas to Ail '."