CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS

By

META SCHOOLEY LAWS

              Last week the Christmas number of the paper was published. This is a fast age is it not? But in the midst of Christmas preparations, we women are in no such hurry for the day to come and go. We are not pessimistic enough to agree with those who declare that the spirit of Christmas-the real old idea that prevailed the day in the “yesterdays” is lost.

             Yet we must admit that too often the day is commercialized. That the monetary value which few set upon nearly everything does sometimes mar the enjoyment of the day, Christmas time of all times of the year ought not to be a dread. Yet one hears, now and again, this very thought expressed. Far too often to our children, we allow the day to centre upon Santa Claus, as the embodiment of the Christmas spirit, rather than around the babe in the manger with the wondering shepherds, the adoring magi-the guiding star and the angelic song.

             This year in many of our Sunday schools, especially in the cities, the children brought gifts for those less favored than they. Thus they are brought closer to the real meaning of the day-the birthday of Him who is our greatest gift, and who “though He was rich, yet for our sakes became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.”

             Preparation for Christmas with us seems the same as we remember in the days of childhood-but have we lost in these days of hurry and rush and enforced (?) self-seeking, that which makes the day stand out in our memory so clearly as does no other time of the year?

             In the old homestead so often referred to in these letters, Christmas was the family gathering day, but it was the children’s day. Christmas eve we were seldom alone, but always before-“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

In the hope that Saint Nicholas soon would be there.”

             Mother told us the wonderful story. She had a gift in that direction, and as we leaned against her knee, we could see how

             “The cattle around Him all slumbering lay

             The little Lord Jesus asleep in the hay.”

`           The whole scene was real to us. Then we sang a Christmas carol to the accompaniment of the little melodeon, and stole away to bed and dreams. Ah, these are the happiest dreams today, and the chief joy of childhood is once again to be in imagination and listen. It is not a personal experience-it is common to us all. Will our children have such memories to cherish?

             Then we used to hear the stories of the old-time Christmas’. Of the feasts when the nearest grocery store was at Chippawa, and was visited once a year. When around the big fireplace in the log house, the Yule log of the home across the sea was recalled, or stories of the journey through the forest and in the canoes were told by our U.E.L. ancestors. They had nothing else than the great gift around which to centre their enjoyment of Christmas day.

             Nor have we, aught else worth while, aught else that shall endure. So in the midst of the struggle in which we find ourself, and through the din and mists which the complex and often unsatisfactory conditions of this year of our Lord, 1926, we too catch a glimpse of the star, and from afar follow its guidance to the Babe “wrapped in swaddling clothes and cradled in a manger,” and we present our gifts, as we worship or we stand with the shepherds on the lonely hillside, and catch a glimpse of the angels and hear their song, and as we listen, join in the carol which re-echoing down through the ages has cheered and comforted and inspired all who wait for the complete fulfillment of the prophecy of the angels strain-

“Glory to God in the highest-

On earth, peace and goodwill.”

The Welland Tribune and Telegraph

23 December 1926