“Merilyn” says...

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1938, Page 2

“Merilyn” says ...

Christmas spirit is in the air again. It is very evident by the bustle and rush on the streets; by intent faces pressed into windows; by parcel-ladon folk; by childrens parties, and balloons and squeakers, Christmas Trees and Santas. There is the spirit of. giving, fostered in all since they were liny children —children wanting to “earn some money <o buy Christmas presents." , * v * There are few people who do not know the joy of giving. Most people like to give, not for any hope of gam, but just for giving’s sake. Christmas is a recognised time of happiness and goodwill, but I wonder just how many people think of it as that. • » • • How many, I wonder, realise the true inner meaning of Christmas—as a time of giving and a time of goodwill to all? Docs that part of the picture fade and leave only the giving because it i's traditional to do so? Leave only the desire of selfish enjoyment and a time of holiday and fun? A time of fun and happiness it should be. but

underneath should run the current of understanding and a knowledge of its deeper meaning, * *■ * Somehow of late years, I think, the spirit of Christmas has been lest. Probably because the old order of things has changed so, the old meaning of Christmas had to change too. Yet. although for 1900 years life has been changing, the 1 Christmas spirit should still, mean “peace on earth — goodwill to men,” and it should mean that all the year round. if. rt « At Christmas, when Nativity plays are being enacted and the scenes of Bethlehem brought again, before our minds, something of the angel’s song cannot but make our hearts glow more warmly. So. when pohutukawas arc bright red. and sands are golden, let us not, in our capacity for pleasure, forget the deeper meaning of Christmas Day.