Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, DECEMBER 24th., 1934. CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 December 1934, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. MONDAY, DECEMBER 24th., 1934. CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

CIRCUMSTANCES are helping to make this year’s Christmastide merrier than some of its immediate predecessors. There is peace on earth, if not goodwill among men, and there is a general desire to provide for those who have little of this world’s goods. Some degree of trade recovery has enabled most countries to enjoy more of the kindly fruits of the earth, and in various ways, in the various climes, the festal season will be suitably commemorated. In Now Zealand, the long spell of fine weather has encouraged shopping, and most establishments report gratifying returns, and holidaymakers have prospects of favourable conditions. Britain reports record business, and similar tidings come from other Empire countries. Altogether, there is reason for good Christian men. and others, to rejoice.

The importance of commerce in Christmas programmes grows each year, and this development, if regretted by some, is not necessarily an evil. There will be some who agree with the petition “Forgive us our Christmases as xve forgive them that Christmas against us,’ - when considering useless presents and awful Christmas cards, but for the most part, gifts are not of that type. It is well that on one day in the year, at least, that outward and visible sign should be given of human friendship, and Christmas is the most opportune occasion for this universal display. Even Godless Russia has had to realise the need for such a time, and although the Soviet makes the anniversary of Hie Bolshevik revolution (November 7) the gift-day instead of Christmas, the sentiment is similar. One official decree urged the holding of family feasts, stating: “At home, in the cosiest surroundings, rhe whole family shall gather. The mother shall pul on a nice treat, and the children shall sit round the table. They shall take down from the wall their balalaikas and guitars, a.nd hold a. nice family concert, then dance. Mother and father shall give presents to the children : A frock for little Masha and a suit for little Vania.” Does this portend a return of Christmas to Russia?

The religious side of Christmas will always be safeguarded, bringing as it does its everlasting message of faith, hope, and charity. The influence of the story of Bethlehem grows no less with time, bringing out, as it does, the best in mankind. All will agree it is a pity that the whole of the year cannot witness the maintenance of this Christmas spirit, but that mav be too much to expect

from frail human nature. It, is well to have one recognised' oc-

casion when higher standards of fraternity and benevolence are expected, and the good from Christmas lasts far longer than is generally realised. Meanwhile, it is to be hoped that. the. festive season will not bo marred by serious accident, avoidable by human carefulness and that travellers will respect the rights of others, so that as few regrets as possible will bo the legacy of this year’s holiday. We take this opportunity of wishing all our readers A HAPPY CHRISTMAS.