Spirit of Christmas 1
In a wonderful way the legends, customs and traditions of many lands and peoples are combined in our celebration of Christmas. This explains the great variety of its symbols. Stars and angels, trees and wreaths, bells, candles and yule logs mean Christmas in America. Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is a favorite story of the season. Nearly every child from the cradle onward also hears and loves that most famous of all1 Christmas poems, A Visit from Saint Nicholas, first told by Dr. Clement Clarks Moore to his children in 1822 and first published by The Troy Sentinel on December 23, 1823.
We have borrowed and adopted carols from many lands, especially from France and England. The Christmas tree came first from Germany, the significance of the mistletoe originated in ancient Britain, the reindeer which carry Santa Claus through the sky are from far northern lands.
It is this universality that permits all peoples, all faiths and creeds, to share in the happiness and simple joy of Christmas. A Child was born, a star shone bright, and wise men and shepherds brought gifts and reverence to the Babe in the manger. This fundamental of all Christian faith has for many centuries inspired the true celebration of Christmas. It has set it apart from the rest of the year as a time of giving and goodwill and fellowship among men.
Sometimes it seems that Christmas has become too commercialized, too much a shopping season, too much a time for material things. Yet everyone may find a place in his heart, and in his home, for its true spirit. Love and kindness and the happiness one person may give to another, these are the real objectives of our Christmas festivities. Therefore a card of greeting, a spray of evergreen from one's own garden, a visit to an old friend may bring more happiness than a costly gift.
It is at this season that we may recover a sense of values, so easily lost in the world's daily turmoil. By observing Christmas properly we discover what is precious and what is unimportant. We may learn, too, that happiness is always within our reach, since it depends on that which comes from within and above, not on the things of this world.
next spirit of Christmas part 2
make your own Merry Christmas
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