Show ment christmas the enquirer takes this occasion to extend boits readers the glad compliments of the season christmas is always a merry time and withal it is a sacred season the exact date of the birth of christ may be a mooted question but it is a good thing to think of his saving mission to earth at any and all seasons of the year christ was born the pleasant season of the year when the shepherds with their flocks on the plains at night shelter from winter blasts it sesma was unnecessary when christian missionaries went to the northern countries of europa they found there a winter holiday about the time of the winter solstice when the superstitious inhabitants began to rejoice because they could see the sun had ceased it s course toward the land of perpetual ice and snow and then they knew the orb of light and warmth would again arise and restore a season of summer the missionaries evidently took advantage of that pagan custom as they did of other pagan rites to engraft a season of rejoicing over the birth of the christ child but it was a happy transformation of barbarous revelry to one of christian charity and love and christmas has thus done much the world better not only has it grown to be a childs day when genial santa olaus rewards the little ones for good deeds done by grateful presents but it has grown to be a season of charity as well all the good traits have been exercised this season in abundance among our communities and it is hoped that none of the barbarous customs of drinking and co rousing will be indulged let us make the christ mas what it was intended to be one of charity and lore |