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Some Short Christmas Stories
WHAT CHRISTMAS IS AS WE
GROW OLDER
Time was； with most of us； when Christmas Day encircling all our
limited world like a magic ring； left nothing out for us to miss or seek；
bound together all our home enjoyments； affections； and hopes； grouped
everything and every one around the Christmas fire； and made the little
picture shining in our bright young eyes； complete。
Time came； perhaps； all so soon； when our thoughts over…leaped that
narrow boundary； when there was some one （very dear； we thought then；
very beautiful； and absolutely perfect） wanting to the fulness of our
happiness； when we were wanting too （or we thought so； which did just as
well） at the Christmas hearth by which that some one sat； and when we
intertwined with every wreath and garland of our life that some one's
name。
That was the time for the bright visionary Christmases which have
long arisen from us to show faintly； after summer rain； in the palest edges
of the rainbow！ That was the time for the beatified enjoyment of the
things that were to be； and never were； and yet the things that were so real
in our resolute hope that it would be hard to say； now； what realities
achieved since； have been stronger！
What！ Did that Christmas never really come when we and the
priceless pearl who was our young choice were received； after the happiest
of totally impossible marriages； by the two united families previously at
daggersdrawn on our account？ When brothers and sisters…in…law who
had always been rather cool to us before our relationship was effected；
perfectly doted on us； and when fathers and mothers overwhelmed us with
unlimited incomes？ Was that Christmas dinner never really eaten； after
which we arose； and generously and eloquently rendered honour to our
late rival； present in the company； then and there exchanging friendship
and forgiveness； and founding an attachment； not to be surpassed in Greek
or Roman story； which subsisted until death？ Has that same rival long
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Some Short Christmas Stories
ceased to care for that same priceless pearl； and married for money； and
become usurious？ Above all； do we really know； now； that we should
probably have been miserable if we had won and worn the pearl； and that
we are better without her？
That Christmas when we had recently achieved so much fame； when
we had been carried in triumph somewhere； for doing something great and
good； when we had won an honoured and ennobled name； and arrived and
were received at home in a shower of tears of joy； is it possible that THAT
Christmas has not come yet？
And is our life here； at the best； so constituted that； pausing as we
advance at such a noticeable mile…stone in the track as this great birthday；
we look back on the things that never were； as naturally and full as gravely
as on the things that have been and are gone； or have been and still are？
If it be so； and so it seems to be； must we come to the conclusion that life
is little better than a dream； and little worth the loves and strivings that we
crowd into it？
No！ Far be such miscalled philosophy from us； dear Reader； on
Christmas Day！ Nearer and closer to our hearts be the Christmas spirit；
which is the spirit of active usefulness； perseverance； cheerful discharge of
duty； kindness and forbearance！ It is in the last virtues especially； that we
are； or should be； strengthened by the unaccomplished visions of our
youth； for； who shall say that they are not our teachers to deal gently even
with the impalpable nothings of the earth！
Therefore； as we grow older； let us be more thankful that the circle of
our Christmas associations and of the lessons that they bring； expands！
Let us welcome every one of them； and summon them to take their places
by the Christmas hearth。
Welcome； old aspirations； glittering creatures of an ardent fancy； to
your shelter underneath the holly！ We know you； and have not outlived
you yet。 Welcome； old projects and old loves； however fleeting； to your
nooks among the steadier lights that burn around us。 Welcome； all that
was ever real to our hearts； and for the earnestness that made you real；
thanks to Heaven！ Do we build no Christmas castles in the clouds now？
Let our thoughts； fluttering like butterflies among these flowers of
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Some Short Christmas Stories
children； bear witness！ Before this boy； there stretches out a Future；
brighter than we ever looked on in our old romantic time； but bright with
honour and with truth。 Around this little head on which the sunny curls
lie heaped； the graces sport； as prettily； as airily； as when there was no
scythe within the reach of Time to shear away the curls of our first…love。
Upon another girl's face near itplacider but smiling brighta quiet and
contented little face； we see Home fairly written。 Shining from the word；
as rays shine from a star； we see how； when our graves are old； other hopes
than ours are young； other hearts than ours are moved； how other ways are
smoothed； how other happiness blooms； ripens； and decaysno； not
decays； for other homes and other bands of children； not yet in being nor
for ages yet to be； arise； and bloom and ripen to the end of all！
Welcome； everything！ Welcome； alike what has been； and what
never was； and what we hope may be； to your shelter underneath the holly；
to your places round the Christmas fire； where what is sits open… hearted！
In yonder shadow； do we see obtruding furtively upon the blaze； an
enemy's face？ By Christmas Day we do forgive him！ If the injury he
has done us may admit of such companionship； let him come here and take
his place。 If otherwise； unhappily； let him go hence； assured that we will
never injure nor accuse him。
On this day we shut out Nothing！
〃Pause；〃 says a low voice。 〃Nothing？ Think！〃
〃On Christmas Day； we will shut out from our fireside； Nothing。〃
〃Not the shadow of a vast City where the withered leaves are lying
deep？〃 the voice replies。 〃Not the shadow that darkens the whole globe？
Not the shadow of the City of the Dead？〃
Not even that。 Of all days in the year； we will turn our faces towards
that City upon Christmas Day； and from its silent hosts bring those we
loved； among us。 City of the Dead； in the blessed name wherein we are
gathered together at this time； and in the Presence that is here among us
according to the promise； we will receive； and not dismiss； thy people who
are dear to us！
Yes。 We can look upon these children angels that alight； so solemnly；
so beautifully among the living children by the fire； and can bear to think
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