CHRISTMAS IS HERE. Ring the Joybells.

Free Lance, Volume VII, Issue 338, 22 December 1906, Page 6

CHRISTMAS IS HERE. Ring the Joybells.

CONSIDERED commercially, Christmas is a boon. Considered socially, QhiriEtmaa presents an opportunity gladly availed of by most people to let the heart thaw and the best emotions rise to the surface. Fax>m the dyspeptic's standpoint, the presence of more food! than usual is an insult to the dlyspeptic. From the children's standpoint, Christmas is just the very nicest time in all the year. Maybe, lots of children don't know why Christmas is Christmas, amdi see in it a toy-time, a time of trumpeb-blow-ing, pudding-eating, fruit-consuming and stocking-hunting. • • *> Whatever the original purpose of this grand: old holiday season, certain it is that in Christendom the occasion is used foi mirth, for social re-union, for merrymaking, and for forgiveness. You yourself know of cases in whioh the soothing influence of Christmas has bridged gaps in old friendships. The modern prodigal son is sure of being in at the death of the modiern fatted calf should he plan to fall on his father's necik on December 25th. The business man has a better chance; of success if he presents ojs bill when the heart of his creditor is warmed with Christmas cheer, Christmas companionship, Christian love, etc. Provided always hie gets his creditor before he goes, on his holiday. » * * It hasn't been a bad year, has it? There have been worries, regretted deaths, burst hopes, shattered idols. But there have been compensations. If you are an optimist, you feel that it is good to be no worse off this end of December than last. If you are a pessimist, well, have a smile just "this once. New Zealand is a fine country. It's your country. You aie part owner of it, and) there's nothing to grizzle at about) your property. Buck up! « ♦ • Some people cannot buck up. Some are ill. Some cannot be festive because they have nothing to be festive with. It's up to you to find them out and give them cause to rejoice. It is very nice to be jolly oneself, but you don't know how jolly at is to. make somebody else jolly until you've triedl it. Have a try, will you? Just before you pack your haversack for the flit from town, on pleasure bent, just have a good solid think. Is anybody going short because you. are going to have a good time? Couldn't you have half as good a time and' let somebody else have the other half P • * • la it the season of peace and goodwill to all men or do you want all the

peaoe and goodwill for your private property? Wonderful how time flies! You are not an evergreen. You oannofc carry that swag of corn with you aortse the river I Scatter at a bit. Be afe free with your coin as Mx. North is with ihis advice! Don't be genieirous if you've got to rob a friendly society or a Benevolent Trust to dlo it, and if you have been robbing anybody, get arrested before Christmas. You'll have a clearer Christmas conscience. But, dropping faoetiousnese, all New Zealandere must be glad that their country has been prosperous andi peaceful during the year, that its government has been skilled and 1 ailong democratic lines, and' that the diffusion of benefits has been generally felt. To all our readers whom we have been fortunate enough to amuse or interest, to aill New Zealanders whose success we want to share, to the whole woxfol, his wife and the children, we wish A Mekby Christmas and A Happy New Year!