LET CHEERFULNESS PREVAIL

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 150, 22 December 1938, Page 22 (Supplement)

LET CHEERFULNESS PREVAIL

WHAT could be more delightful at the present time in a world that has done a mighty

deal of worrying over the year's troubles than to see the Christmas, smiles in all directions; in every street, in the shops, in trams, and other public conveyances. The little people' are everywhere being taken round by parents--— who may be somewhat harassed in the crowded shops and streets, and with the many regulations about crossings, etc.—but who go on gallantly and show the young ones the old, old friends, Father Christmas and Santa Claus, who have been features of the world for so long, and who made happiness for the elders in their time. People are about with mysterious parcels and bulging .shopping bags, and smiles are again the order of the day, as the delight of the family is anticipated. It is all in sympathy with the feeling that Christmas is the children's festival time, for there are few: who are so unfortunate that they cannot look back on their own early Christmas Days, which seemed then to be such a terrible long time in coming round, though nowadays they "come at a gallop" and one seems ho sooner over than another is upon us.

fPHE little ones prepare for the festival in their own ways in the schools, Christmas smiles are everywhere then, and the holidays are looked forward to with many pleasures ahead, picnics, bathing, motor tours, and many more beside.

By M.H.C.

Pleasures come to the older ones as well, for Christinas is a great time for "staff" holidays, and it is not possible to go anywhere without hearing of many pleasant things planned. Holidays in the country, at the seaside, trips to see something of the country, excursions by train, bus, arid'car in all directions. So it is a very cheery world, and naturally so many hopes for good weather are strongly expressed that they should certainly reach the "Clerk of the Weathe^' if he is at all reachable! So there axe smiles among the older ones, and the world goes on cheerfully making ready for a good time and a gathering of health and brightness which will be a great help maybe, if later the clouds of difficulty and distress should come over the world again.

THEREFORE it behoves all to do their best to make the seasonal wishes "A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" come' true, and to unite in doing their best for New Zealand, setting aside all gloomy 'thoughts, worry, and anticipations for the future that are not cheery and hopeful. The world has been saved from disaster unexpectedly a number of times in its recent history, and the Christmas thought should be - that, it -is better to expect this blessing again than to allow the all-too-brief festive season to be spoiled, and more especially for the younger people. Better Jiealth, relieved nerves, and many other benefits can be gained by a constant wishing and believing that we are all going to have a really "Happy Christmas."