The Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DEC. 24, 1907. A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3778, 24 December 1907, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, DEC. 24, 1907. A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Before another issue of the Heraed reaches our readers, Christmas will have come and gone. A moment’s cogitation: Why all this fuss 'and to do — family reunions, the sacrifice Of poultry, unclean animal and fat lambs, the gaily decorated festive board, the mother’s tears of joy ? Why, we ask, all this ? Perhaps you tell your children that it is to commemorate the birth of Him who is to bring peace on earth and goodwill to man. Such is the case. Christmas Day was observed from the earliest times in the Christian Church, but not everywhere on the same day. One early writer, Clement, of Alexandria, tells us that some kept it on May 20th, while others kept it a whole month earlier. The larger part of the Eastern Church kept it on January 6th, there being a tradition that the Christ was baptised on that day. It was the Church of Constantinople that altered the day to December, and was soon alter followed by other' churches, though to this day the Armenian Church continues to celebrate Christmas Day on January 6th, In the Western Churches December 25th appears to have been selected from the earliest times, and about the time of St. Chrysotum this usage prevailed, except in the Armenian Church, For many centuries now, Christendom has kept the nativity of the holy child- on Decem|||E 25th. It is notable that of, afflSbtivals, Christmas y has . assojaßn . itself with natural joyfi x dj9Hq love, and [ .'-Yu..!..

universal charity. Now is the time to forget and forgive. Can you gladden the heart of anyone at this time by opening the windows of the soul ? Resolve to make some one happy, and you will be doubly blessed. To .all our readers, and especially to the poor, sorrowing, and afflicted, we extend best wishes for A Merry Christmas !