In these latter days no great respect is exhibited for things that are merely old, but old fashioned as is Christmas and familiar as are the associations that cluster round it, the world would be poor indeed if its observance were lost to it. It is one of those things so intimately associated with emotions and thoughts which are kindly, and pure, and helpful to all, that although it comes year by year, with the same old words, and kindly greetings, and neighbourly customs, and youthful pleasure and laughter and merriment, for both young and old, it always has a new face, and the whole world greets it with a welcome hand. “A Merry Christmas” will pass from lip to lip not only all over the continent of Australia, but where there is a knowledge of the Christ in all lands; and who shall say that, the world is not the better for it. Christmas of 1900 should be a memorable one ; it is the last of the dying century, and ushers into existence a new born nation in these southern seas. The future is pregnant with potentialities of greatness for the Australian Commonwealth. Let us hope that the light of faith, generated with the birth of Christ in the manger and flashed upon us down the long centuries, will continue to illumine and guide the minds of the people of this continent, so that our future may be one of peace, progress, happiness and prosperity.
Peace on earth, good will towards men, was the heavenly message, delivered to Shepherds by night, on that ever memorable time, and at this season of the year, friends that have allowed their grosser nature to create divisions in sentiment and opinion, can well afford to divest themselves of all pettiness, and with a full heart greet their neighbours all, with a cheery Christmas greeting.
As far as our material progress is concerned there is no doubt that the vista of good seasons and returning prosperity will make many hearts glad, but many of our kith and kin, located on distant Africa’s shore, beneath the lowering and black clouds of war, will spend a joyless Christmas. For their welfare, and that peace may be restored to that blood drenched land, with its shattered hopes, ambitions and homes, should be the earnest prayer of all. The poor we have always with us, but fortunately, in our midst we have many who are blessed with the good things of this world—riches in abundance. Let’s hope that the heart of charity will be opened to the less fortunate, and that in this fair land one and all may enjoy the blessings of good cheer during this festive season.
Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser, Dungog, NSW, Australia, December 25, 1900