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Show Christmas is Still a Religious Holiday Christmas holds a unique place as ja yearly celebration. The observance pf other holidays has changed, but Christmas has yielded none of its original ori-ginal sacredness. It Is now, .as at first, 'essentially a religious day. Its reality jvoices a song of fraternity people grow at this season more generous, more indulgent, more human. It Is .evangelistic for the destruction of jmalice and 111-wlll differences between be-tween one and another are forgotten. Year by year Christmas devitalizes selfishness, and consequently the day is a powerful factor for good. Great (characters step from the-spiritualized atmosphere; majestic deeds of charity leave their blessing and example everywhere. ev-erywhere. Yuletlde is not merely a period of gift bestowal or solely a time of thoughtfulness. Its significance is more profound. Feeling is immersed in kindness. Conduct is adapted to what is highest and best. The first plain Christmas, of which that of today is a sublime Issue, dlgnl-'fied dlgnl-'fied sacrifice. The Good Book says: "And there were shepherds watching, and keeping the night watches over their flocks." A manifestation of personal per-sonal sacrifice. Those who would be rich must give. The gift need not be monetary. Giving, is without limitation limita-tion if a singer, give to others a glad-song glad-song ; if a millionaire in experience, give freely of advice; if a table of plenty, share the repast with those who are not only physically hungry, but thirsty for sympathy; if invested with geniality, become a prince giver of laughter, of service,of encouragement. encourage-ment. Be constructive. Followers of this doctrine draw from the season a rich return in happiness. |