HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9116, 23 December 1907, Page 3

HOW TO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS.

(Ladies' Home Journal.")

A little child who had recently attained the distinction of having a birthday-— when all had conspired to give her a happy time — made a remark iu reference to the approach of Christmas, that I thought worth pondering: " We must all try-to make Jeeus enjoy His birthday, mustn't we, mamma?" I "was deep in preparation for the great festival. I had, through much tribulation, selected appropriate gifts for each member of my family, iand for all the friends _ who, I feared A might give me something, doubtless incurring the critioism made by someone anent Christmas-giving: ''Spending more than one can afford for things that people do not want." I had, in a perfunctory way, because weary of so much shopping and seeking, provided fo" my humbler friends, and was looking forward to the time after "the Christmas rush" should be over, when the child's words had brought to me the realisation of how pagan had been my attitude towards the day set apart in our Lord's honour. I tried to think out what a Christian observance of Christmas ought to be, how to preserve the spirit of the hqly day in the holiday. I recalled the traditions of Christmas throughout the ages and the lessons they teach — the dole of bread to the poor at the gates of the well-to-do, the feasting of all their tenants by the lords of the soil, as well as the curious custom among the English nobility to give a fine dance for the servants of the household, at which the master open© the ball with the housekeeper and the lady of the house may " tread a measure" with her butler. On that one night social distinction vanishes ; all are alike the children of the great Father. In Germany the children prepare Christmas trees for the birds by hanging myriad bits of bread among the branches — as though all sentient things must be made happy on that day of days. I thought of the superstitions that have held the race. Fanciful? Yes, extravagant, gruesome at times, but always reverent. They used to think — the simple pea-sant-folk—that at midnight on Christmas Evg the cattle for just one hour had the power of speech and kneeled in adoration. The lost souls in hell had respite from all their woes during that hour commemorative of the Redeemer's birth. Herod ceased to feel his chains. Judas slept and dreamed of the days of his innocence. Herodias could rest from the dance, in which she was condemned to spin through all eter nity, and Pilate, ceased his wanderings on Mount Pilatus and refrained from washing the hands from which nothing could remove the stain of blood which ever reappeared. With the little child's thought for the text of my meditations I asked myself, " How do we like to have our birthdays celebrated?" First of all, we want to bo the central object of the love of those for whom we care. We don't want to take it for granted ; we like'to hear the expression of it. The kind things said in our praise are gratifying as the assurance that we have pleased those whose good opinion we chiefly value. Our service on Christmas Day (should be one of praise and worship. We have all the rest of the year to pray for what we want. Let us forget ourselves a little while and think only of Him. Among the pleasant things that distinguish human birthdays is the receipt of gift© from those who love and wish us well. We may make our offerings to the Christ on His natal daj r . The best gifts are those that cannot be put into the treasury. If we have little we may giv© what the shepherds did, our loyal allegiance, our worshipful adoration. If much, we may give of our gold with gratitude and reverent faith, as did the Magi, and, mindful of the " Inasmuch," make the day a happy one .to our Lord's representatives—^he poor, the suffering, the sad or_ lonelyy and especially little children. ' I know of a family who, on Christmas. Day, interchange among themselves the merest trifles — things chiefly in the nature of jokes and personalities provocative- oi fun, which I think have helped to sharpen wits that never cut or wound but which are undeniably bright. All that Ihey have to spend is devoted to the making-up of Christmas bundles intended to gladden those who need help or only sympathy and cheer.

A typical bundle contained the matew rials for a dress, not omitting the lining©, " findings " and trimmings, ' and a couple of fashion-plates as suggestion for' th© style of making. Another bundle, destined for a music-loving girl, contained a ticket for a series of musical recitals, a bos of bonbons, a pair of white gloves and a pretty lac© tie. For a third person, to whom they knew a little money would be the> most welcome oi gifts, a rosebush was sent, among the branches of which were some new silver coins in pretty eilk bags, tied with bright ribbon6. A card accompanying the pretty plant had written upon it: "Money grows on bushes at Christmas time." The members of another household of ray acquaintance defer their interchange of gifts until New Year's Day, and concentrate their combined effort® at Christmas on the "happifying" and the gratifying of those who have tew pleasures — which sometimes take the form of a festal entertainment, at which gifts are Bestowed in all sorts oa odd and unexpected ways. In still another household that numbers many children the Christinas tree that has been their delight is left standing in all the bravery of its myriad brilliant decorations and its ■ branches replenished with new gifts and toys. All the poor children that are known to the family and those in whom any. of the ! persons in their service are interested, are invited to spend an afternoon or evening and receive a present irom the Christmas tree. . 1 The dressing or the tree is done under the direction of the children oi the family, who themselves decorate the branches within their Teach. They also help to purchase, make and plan for all the gifts which they present to their little friends in person, and upon them devolves the responsibility of givj ing them a "thoroughly good time —playing games and doing anything in their power to amuse. . It is an object-lesson m practical philanthropy that they will never forgot, for each year they are loud in protestation that they enjoy it far more than any entertainment with only their individual pleasure for its object. „ . i In a certain parish Sunday school each child brings a gift on Christmas Eve that is laid at the foot of a finely decorated tree, to be given subsequently to the mission Sunday school and , furnish a tree for little ones less favoured of fortune. The children are put upon their honour to earn the money 'for the purchase of their presents or they voluntarily deny themselves the possession of some gift which they hove themselves received— their gift to the Christ. To go home quite empty-handed would be disappointing, so ea«h one receives a box of bonbons gay with Christmas decorations. Some city children. of my acquaintance, who have not much to give, but who have been educated in the true spirit of Christmas giving, have happy times planning presents for the children's ward in some hospitaP each year. As the managers of every hospital see to it that no child sb-(l fiul to receive some gift to mark the joyous season, my little friends take their offerings a few days in advance of Christmas Day, knowing how long those waiting days seem when a pleasure is in prospect—

and anything, however trifling, is eagerly welcomed. Sheets of cardboard of various bright colours, about ten inches square, covered with pictures cut from advertisemente'and old magazines axe much appreciated, being more easily held in weak hands than serapbooks. Their making affords pastime on many a, rainy day to the givers. Eaoh card is marked with the name of a child-*-»and their interchange teaches them the pleasure of give and take. A box of beads, needles, thread and fine wire delights the little girls, who learn to make bead-baskets, rings and jewellery to distribute among their neighbours as Christmas gifts. Crochet and knitting needles with bright worsteds and some of the pretty kindergarten contrivances also keep their thoughts and hands pleasantly busy, and enable them, too, to have something to' give on Christmas Day. To teach the little hands how to use their new treasures sometimes necessitates two or three visits, with the result of a mutual interest between helpers and helped that has often continued to the. advantage of both. Th© "grown-ups" may profitably follow the children's example — the hours are long that are spent in hospital beds, and doubly long at t;he season of the year when all the wrirld outside its walls seems to be happily busy. ' ' . . A full purse is not necessary to realise this ideal of Christmas giving. It is the being remembered that constitutes the chief charm of a Christmas gift. Money goes so much, further when spent for the needy than* for those who have most of their wants gratified that it seems as though a supernatural agency sometimes multiplied it. To carry out tKe spirit of " peace and good will on earth," we will, of course, hasten to "make friends " with any with whom we have been at variance during the §ear. The more costly the effort the more glorious will be the joy of victory when Christmas morning dawns. I think, too, that practical Christianity is shown in making our purchases early, out of consideration to the salespeople, who are often so overworked that when Christmas comes they are too exhausted to oafe for it. A "Merry Christmas" is best realised when the heart is light, and nothing lightens it like an approving conscience and the joy of giving happiness.