Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953)(about) |
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Thursday 23 December 1920
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Publlisnd a.t Portland Every Monday a'nd Thursday i;vcinw.r' 'PHoNE No.; 39.. THURSDAY,: DECEMBER 23, 1920. CHRISTMAS-AND CHRISTMAS CHEER... The close of the week will find the peoples of Chrietendom once again commemorating the popular festival which marks the anniver sary of the Birth of the Great Mes siah. "Unto you this day is born a King." Just as the shepherds of old rejoiced at the. glad tidings of the coming of the Christ Child, so also, at this distance of time and change of circumstance-with bit ter war experiences and untold griefs and hardships weighing heavily upon the people, and with the pitiable unbeliever ever thread ing his way here and there among the masses " expounding " his omp ty argument against the story of the Birth at Bethlehem-the Chris tiaO communities, at each recur rence of the festival, pay their homage to the Head of the Church in the grand old traditional style. Faith is-the keynote of their joy ousness, the hope of their daily lives. You cannot shake their faith in the Biblical record of the Messiah by unsubstantiated theories (if they are worthy the name of such) and by pointing out the suf ferings of the innocent in the Great World War. The Creator's methods of dealing with " man's inhumanity to man" are not for us to understand. To attempt to rea son Why? is foolishness, and to listen .to the harping tune of the agnostic, whose ignorance irritates him, is waste of time. And so, when the festive day re turns, the peal of Christmas bells urges the people onward to the performance of a pleasant Chris tian duty, also crowding their minds with memories of ,many Christmases spent in the con geniality of the home circle, where the absentees are prone to rush if opportunity afford. Many, alas ! are saddened by the thought of a vacant chair which last year, and at previous Christmas re-unions, held a happy member of the family at the festive board, but who had been called away to the realm of perfect peace. It is regrettable that present in dustrial disturbances"will militate against the enjoyment of this Christmas season, and compel many to alter their set program of holiday arrangements. We look hopefully forward to the time when the world will have reverted to something like normal conditions, and when the machinery of State will be so ordered as to preclude the possibility of such industrial up heavals occurring. It can be done only by level-headed reasoning in a more peaceful atmosphere, and by a greater recognition of duty, man to man, which the festive season of Christmas is supposed to promote and keep alive, To Santa Claus (or any of his accredited representatives) a visit round the Portland shops will re veal a multifarious collection of Christmas cheer from which to stock the household larder and also to choose the seasonal gift. A glance down the extensive lists of Messrs Anderson and Co. and the Portland Stores will convince you that your wants can be satisfied here-at home-by your own en terprising men of business, and there was no necessity for sending that order to Town and " bringing coal to Newcastle." We shall not enumerate the articles which the lists comprise, but refer you to the firms' advertisements in other columns of this issue. Patronise the men who are helping to build up your tswn- and do this not only in the Christmas season but in all seasons, for it spells duty. in the performance of which the Christian should at all times take the keenest delight. And while going the round of the shops, step up to the popular Waratah, and also the Cafe London, and there view the splendid array of delicacies in the confectionery line, no trouble hav ing been spared to get together a display which is indeed worthy of special note, and which impels the onlooker to delve into pocket for the coin that it is determined shall not be 'there any lorrger. If Santa Claus is not satisfied with the local stocks of good things from which to replenish his fast-empty ing chariot, then he doesn't know his business. But he has been too long in the trade for us to have any doubts on that score. We take this final opportunity to extend tooursubscribors and others the compliments of the seasnon. In order that our staff may partici pate in the holiday festivities, there will be no issue of "The Guardian" during the coming week, the next Dublication being on Monday, Janu ary 3, 1921.