OUR VIEW: Christmas thoughts from times past

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OUR VIEW

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EDITOR’S NOTE: For the remainder of the week, The Daily Republic will publish Christmas-themed editorials from years past. Included with each is the date it was originally published, along with the names of this newspaper’s executives at the time.

Dec. 23, 1911

It is indeed appropriate that the Christmas season should follow closely upon that of Thanksgiving, for there is no more effective way of showing our gratitude than by manifesting the true Christmas spirit.

“Good will toward men” is the message that comes to us with each recurrence of the anniversary of the birth of the Nazarene. That declaration was fulfilled in the life of Jesus, for He gave all and received nothing, in a material way.

He sought not in any way gratification of the ordinary desires of sense of the aspirations of pride. He gave His entire life to humanity that He might lift man out of the depths of sin, disease and death and show him the vision of everlasting life.

So it is that giving has come to be the conventional method of exemplifying the Christmas spirit. No doubt, some of this giving is done in a purely formal manner. Perhaps a good deal of it is considered necessary in response to the demands of friendship. But he who sees nothing more than this in the Christmas season has not really found the Christmas spirit. For the real joy to be obtained from Christmas festivities is contained in the act of giving. Let it cause self-denial if it will.

If, thereby, someone is made happier, then we have in truth created something worthwhile. It is for love that we all yearn, love from our fellows, love from our families, love from the Heavenly Father. And it is only as our Christmas gifts bear a real message of love that they take joy along with them.

Love is never lost; it is indestructible. It is the greatest fact of the universe and because of it, the Christmas spirit must last forever.

W.R. Ronald, editor and general manager

Dec. 22, 1959

It is said the Lord loves a cheerful giver. In these last hours before Christmas, that is a thought to lift the spirits of the last-minute shopper.

It is not enough to give. To be pleasing to the Lord, the gift must be cheerfully and thoughtfully given.

We read so much today about the gift for the man — or woman — who has everything. That does not necessarily mean only people of wealth. In this day of the high standard of living, the great middle class no less than those in the upper brackets seem to have everything. It complicates the business of giving somewhat.

However, there is a simple test. The Christmas gift should exemplify giving at its best — something of one’s self into each perfect gift, something that fits the personality of the recipient, something dearly wanted that might not be acquired in any other way. This would entail a great deal of affectionate study, or tactful probing of the considerate choices.

One fine suggestion was made by Inez Robb in her column on this page the other day. Having a friend who really is in no need, one perfect gift would be to send a check to a favorite charity in the friend’s name, then send a card, telling the friend of your action and that he or she should be receiving a note of thanks from the charity.

Even at this last minute, there is time to give each late recipient enough thought so that the gift will bespeak the love it brings.

Florence K. Ronald, president; E. M. Brady, executive editor

Tags: opinion, editorials, christmas, updates