WHY KEEP CHRISTMAS?

Thames Star, 24 December 1921, Page 6

WHY KEEP CHRISTMAS?

THIS ARTICLE TELLS YOU. We keep Christmas more or less perhaps from force of habit, and because everyone else keeps it. Mothers keep it because it is the children's festival —a happy time. And, though it means a lot of thought and money and work for the mothers, none of them grudges it. Friendly people keep it because it •is a time of re-union, -when old comrades take the trouble to look each other up or write, even though they may not meet or correspond all the rest of the year. Kind-hearted and loving folks keep it because it brings happiness and a spirit of brotherhood —if only for one day; and because it is a time of peace, when old wrongs are forgiven, and old grievances buried and forgotten. ■ Merry people keep it because it is .the gayest time of the year, and in the Old Countrj-it is a contrast to the dull winter winch, without it, would be so long and dreary. The generous.keep it becaiisfcvfchen they are free to make anyone happy —folk's will not call them mad for sending gifts to unknown poor, nor for inviting, say, the whole street to dinner. Others abroad keep it for Auld Lang Syne—in memory of happy days in the Old Land; and in order to be near in spirit to those at Home who keep it without them, but breathe their names in the toast of "The Absent." Lovers keep it —of course —beeaxise of a certain little custom that prevails at this season, a solemn ceremony performed under that ancient and mysterious plant, the mistletoe. Children keep it —need one ask why? Do we not to our dying day associate Christinas with the children's dear friend, Santa Claus. And behind all this, we really keep it because some 1900 years ago a Child was born, Who changed the world so much that without Him our , country, our homes and even our own lives would be unthinkable.