Home--and Christmas

What can one say for a season where so much is intermixed? There is thoughtfulness for others, but a thoughtfulness preoccupied with much bustling and busyness. Nor could one deny that sentiment is encouraged partly by commercial motive − but the sentiment is there all the same, a sentiment set apart from all other times and seasons, with many buying for others, few for themselves. Whether or not all this is always wise, whether or not there are some excesses, whether or not it is partly compulsion, the compulsion of custom, the compulsion of comparisons, is something which by itself should sometime be considered − nevertheless, not at any other time are hearts so intent on doing so much for so many, moved by a spirit which is real, and different, and which runs down deep, despite all the mixture of motives. And there is kindliness − a kindliness that comes of Him who “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son,” − a love that turns thoughts homeward, that refines the heart, that makes absent ones more missed and those present much more precious, and moves men to do something for someone besides themselves. As to the homeward turning: “. . . I pity him whose soul does not leap at the mere utterance of that name [of home] . . .,” wrote Donald Grant Mitchell. “It is not the house, though that may have its charms; nor the fields . . . streaked with your own footpaths; − nor the trees, though their shadow be to you like that of a great rock in a weary land; − nor yet is it the fireside; . . . nor the pictures which tell of loved ones, nor the cherished books, − but more far than all these − it is the Presence. The Lares of your worship are there; the altar of your confidence . . . the end of your worldly faith is there; and adorning it all, . . . is the ecstasy of the conviction, that there at least you are beloved; that there you are understood; that there your errors will meet ever with gentlest forgiveness; . . . that there you may unburden your soul, fearless of harsh, unsympathizing ears; and that there you may be entirely and joyfully − yourself!” Thus all things turn home at this season of blessedness, of kindliness, of a love that comes from a Father who sent His Son that we might have life and loved ones everlastingly − which is His greatest gift.