THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1922. THE FEAST OF GOODWILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18281, 23 December 1922, Page 6

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1922. THE FEAST OF GOODWILL.

Christmas is essentially the season of goodwill. Its festival celebration, originating in the joyous welcome that ancient Europe gave to reluming spring, arose in an experience of glad comradeship. Although winter still ruled, his days were numbered; the sunshine grew in length and strength with the passing of the winter solstice, and the promise of plenty succeeded the need to husband the resources of the larder. The indulging of a desire for fostival was a natural feature of the season, and in the general rejoicing a freer fellowship came. Of ancient Rome's feasts in commemoration of the birth of Cybele, Cato says that the prospect drawing men to them was "not so much the pleasure of eating and of drinking as that of finding oneself among his friends and of conversing with them." This social enjoyment marks all popular festivities. The barriers that normally separate class from class yield before the impulse toward gaiety. Laughter and song demand company, and that is a poor meal, no matter how lavishly spread, which is eaten in solitude. When Christianity, seeking to commemorate the birth of its Founder, came at last to a decision about the- date to be observed and the manner of its observance, the festival of the winter solstice presented the most favourable occasion. This turning pomt of the northern year, when winter suffered recurrent defeat and spring's gladness came ever again, was already celebuatied with fraternal To consecrate it to commemoration of the coming of the Son of Man was a task in keeping with the genius of a religion knowing no barriers between men and seeking to become universal. It was not an easy task, and the licentious pagan festivities persisted for centuries to make Christmas less worthy of its purpose than the Church had planned. But gradually the unruly riot of revelling was thorn, away, and Christmas was left the season of a sweetly glad commemoration of the birth of Christ. Through all the changes of the centuries, in pagan f«>ast and Christian festival alike, there has persisted the element of goodwill, and to-day it remains as the outstanding characteristic of the season. Not alone are the solitary set in families again as the sesson recurs— even in a land where summer conditions tend to draw us from the shelter of the home roof-tree we make shift to foregather in the family circle —but our joy in fellowship breaks bounds. We make Christmas a feast of general goodwill. Whatever our attitude toward each other throughout the year, we tacitly agree to keep open heart, even if we cannot keep open house, at Christmastide. Our Anglo-Saxon reserve gives place for a little to a camaraderie that makes for mutual understanding and help. This makes Christmas a truly great institution. It embodies all that is best in modern democracy. As a social creed democracy stands in need of fervent practical expression. Viewed merely as a political formula, " Government of the people by the people for the people," it has provided a slogan against class legislation and privilege and led many a campaign for popular rights. That is good as far as it goes. Yet, restricted to this political usage, the democratic creed has not done very much for the brotherhood of man. Indeed, it has furnished a new occasion of offence among men, and served to give a new battle-cry dividing them into combatant parties. The use of the term Democrat in tho United States, an instance by no means singular, is a case in point. Something better should result from such a name. What the world most needs is a solvent for its hatreds and misunderstandings : this need is greater far than that of a new political sorting of men. To feel oneself a member of the human family, with deep-seated interests shared by every son of man ; to be possessed by an impulse of comradeship that makes light of social barriers set up by custom; to take up gladly the burden of partnership in the world as a going concern and strive by might and main to bring universal happiness into it: these are envisaging of democracy as more than a political shibboleth. In politics democracy may be cruelly partisan without tho inconsistency being glaringly obvious. In social practice democracy is either a spirit of universal goodwill or it is nothing. Christmas, with its open-hearted greeting and open-handed giving, may do much —it has already done something through the centuries-—to keep this spirit alive among the nation?;, and to remind them that, however difficult of realisation, this full comradeship is humanity's greatest ideal.

It is too much, perhaps, to hope that the goodwill of which Christmas is a recurring reminder should do away speedily with war. But the world is manifestly seeking international peace. It may be doing it clumsily and with a rooted despair about the success of the quest; yet the search is definitely on. However the Washington Conference

may have failed to satisfy some hopes, it was at least an earnest attempt to minimise international strife. In other ways, in our present-day world, the outlook is similarly one of mingled light and shadow, hope and pessimism. Schemes are afoot for bringing to understanding the rival camps of Capital and Labour, of employers and employed. Yet there is still a bitterness that will not down, and class-consciousness is being definitely preached. The outcome is difficult to foretell; but, during tho Christmas festival days, with the Christian message of goodwill resounding in our hearts, it is hard to believe that dissension ■ and disunion are the eternal destiny of men. Though it be incontestable that, in many spheres and during most days, hostilities divide them, and the spirit of goodwill be fettered, it is still in their midst and vocal. War, although unabolished, will more and more, be faced with a sad reluctance. Class-feeling, though fostered, may yet prepare the way for larger union. Industrial strife, even if it remain acute, may eventually, by its very bitterness of experience, force contestants to allay their bitterness of motive in a common search for a better way of settling differences. Christmas has ever had its angelsong of peace and goodwill. It rings out again; and beneath the influence of its re-echoing hope, it seems impossible to doubt that the future will be found on the side of the angels.