The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1891.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 305, 24 December 1891, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 1891.

For tho causo that lacks asslstr/jcc, Fcr tho wroas llict ::cccs r::isi:.£:ca. For the future in tio uict.anoa, And the goed that can. ds.

We ring down the curtain to-nigbt upon work for three whoie days. It is only at intervals that even Christmas, with its associations of jollity, happy family reunions and all-pervading fun, brings such a holiday to the fagged worker. Let us, then, enjoy it to the full. Give a truce to carking care, to politicaj jangling and petty jealousies, and le t the calumet of peace pass around. It is a poor heart that never rejoices, and surely if there is any time of the year when rejoicing is in season, it is at. Christmas, with its hoary traditions of men-y-making and wassail, with... its loftier spiritual significance, its deliverance from the bondage of death, its lessons of human brotherhood, its nearer associations of friendly faces, of abounding generosity and love. We do not forget that to many a soul in our city these memories are saddened by the thought of some bright merry face which gladdened their homes a year ago, but is missing this Cmistmas ; their thoughts may turn sadly to some little grave on the sunny slopes of Waikomiti or Purewa, or, perchance, their moistened eyes will rest wistfully upon the vacant armchair, and their hearts go forth to the aged pilgrim who has closed his journeying. Even to such as these the season brings good tidings of great joy. Hear we not still the song of the angels with its message of goodwill, sounding, not alone on the heights of Bethlehem, but on the still night air of our own soft climate, to ears that are spiritually quickened to catch the whisperings of the world of mystery around us? The thought oFsorrbws softened and mellowed by the gentle hand of time may, perhaps, with some of us give a stronger tone to present happiness. The ceaseless ebb and flow of human life affects but little those with whom ! the tide is at the flood ; and better so.

Why should young hearts be made sad with borrowed sorrows ? Grief will come soon enough. Make way, then, for innocent pleasure ; let the shady gully ring with merriment, and our sturdy sons and daughters inhale the health-giving breezes, and woo the kisses of the sun upon the sparkling sea. This is no time to " hang the harp on the willow tree j" rather twang it right merrily to some lively air which shall set young feet in motion, and make old hearts beat to a faster measure than they are wont to do. If the weather prove favourable, and there is every promise that it will do, thousands of citizens in holiday dress will throng the many charming resorts which" make Auckland the Queen city of New Zealand. The choice is ample. In heart we go with the crowd to cool, shady nooks, where the white tablecloth may be spread beneath the crirasoc-crowned pohutukawa and the loving cup go round to an accompaniment" improvised by the splashing waves and zephyr-stirred leaves ; or we climb with them tlje rugged, blsckened sides of Rangitptp.,; or lunch in the cool, spray-sprinkled alcove beneath Waitake/ei Falls. Wherever bright faces are gathered, wherever warm greetings are passed and kindly deeds are done, the Christmas festival will be kept in its true spirit, and our heart goes with it-