THE PUTARURU PRESS. ’Phone 28 P.O. Box 44 Office Oxford Place TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1929. CHRISTMAS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 320, 24 December 1929, Page 4

THE PUTARURU PRESS. ’Phone 28 P.O. Box 44 Office Oxford Place TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1929. CHRISTMAS.

ONCE more the,; festival of Christmas has come round and people are preparing to give themselves up to the pleasures and'enjoyments which, year after year, this; time of rejoicing brings with it to both old and young. As people grow older they are inclined to profess that Christmas is not what it used to be, but that is because their thoughts and ideas have changed. When they were very young the joys and festivities of Christmas appeared magnified to them and they thought their elders had the same keen interest in everything as themselves.

Here in New Zealand we may not celebrate “ the old white Christmas ” of a colder clime, but the spirit of Christmas rests upon us all, the spell of a gracious time, when the waves of kindness bring heart nearer to heart and soul nearer to soul. For at least a brief space the world is better, brighter and happier. Urged by the spirit of Christmas, everybody is trying to show some sort of kindness to somebody else, and it is this that sweetens humanity and makes the sad old world a pleasant dwelling place. Everyone, consciously or unconsciously, is swayed by the spirit of Christmas.

To the older folk Christmas is a time of reunion of families, a time when a kindlier feeling exists towards one and all, a time when animosities are modified, a time of pleasure in which they see the younger generation, who have not yet learned the meaning of care, revel in the pleasures in which they themselves have now little interest. To the children of 1929 Santa Claus is just as real as ever he was to the children of generations ago. Christmas is a time when it is a sad heart that does hot find some cause for rejoicing though the year may have been a grey one. Coming but once a year, it makes a healthy break in the dull 'routine of the yfiar’s labour, anil' after experiencing its pleasures people can settle down to their ordinary duties of life 5 renewed and refreshed. The fact is we cannot get on without Christmas ; that is why we keep it as each year rolls by.

Christmas 1&29 bids fair to make a good showing' when compared with all its predecessors. Progress and prosperity are apparent on all sides and the future is rich with the promise of still better times. Of course in the past year there have been many who have met with reverses, and some who have met with deep sorrow by the loss of loved ones who were among the joyous group celebrating the last festive time, and to them all kindly feelings are due. With the hope that one and all may enjoy the happiness that the season brings we wish our readers, every one, A MERRY CHRISTMAS.