Christmas

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 2009, 24 December 1886, Page 2

Christmas

The jovial and time-honored Christmas season, which is supposed to be typical of “ Peace on earth aiul goodwill to all man' kind,” is duly observed in every country and clime where the British language is spoken, irrespective of all creeds or shades of opinion. It is quite pleasing to see men and women meet and interchange “ The Compliments of the Season.” Sometimes in those few words all the differences ei the past year are sunk for ever; men, who in the course of business transactions have “ agreed to differ,” suddenly felt inspired to meet their quondam opponent or antagonist, and, with a hearty shake of the hand, greet him with those words of hearty good cheer, and perhaps, “ bury the hatchet ” for all time, oom< mencing the New Year with a better feeling, and even at times wondering to themselves why they ever found sufficient reason to quarrel over such small trifles. If for no other reason than the one just expressed, we should hail the coming of the festive season with feelings akin to delight, and look forward, as no doubt many do, to having around their tables the young ones that have left the parent’s nest, some to make homes for themselves, others to train tor the same end, We oannot in this colony look forward to the coming of Christmas with the associa* tious of yule logs or bonfires as do the European dwellers in thejother hemispheres, as the climate here in the sunny South does not so freely admit of that adjunct to our earthly joys. We oannot either fondly anticipate the pleasure of seeing our children and possibly, in some oases, our children’s children, so fully participate in the pleasures cf “ Blind Man’s Buff,” " Hunt the Slipper,” dancing, and other youthful indoor pastimes, but we can equally enjoy ourselves, and give odr families the same opportunity by insti. ( toting little friendly picnic* »nd gerden ‘

patties suitable for outdoor amusement. It is to be hoped that at the present time it will be within the reach of erery man, woman and child in the Wairarapa to hare reason to remember Christmas 1886 with feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. Let every heart rejoice ; may the sick and bed<> ridden have temporary, if not permanent relief, and tben the festival will be complete, and we shall one and all feel that " The Compliments of the Season,” just now so freely expressed, are not idle words, and if there is no other holiday worth living for, Christmas itself is that one.