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i AN PYIYY Christmas! Christmas is here once "again, with that problem of choosing Gifts. oom Come to us, and from the many beautiful things we have you will find what you wish. i Our beautiful \ Line of China was never better. Articles from 25¢. upwards. Silverware, Jewelry, Watches, at prices that will convince you as to value. J. R. Bentley JEWELER AND STATIONER WILLARD & C0. Wish You A ; Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and remind you that they always carry an excellent line of Fresh Groceries Special lines for Christmas Prompt attention given to Phone Orders, Phone 46r2 WER Everything in Christmas Groceries. oo oom HRISTMAS is an institu- tion and a spirit too good to let die. The story of the Christ child is the sweetest story in the world and it nevér be- ry comes stale. When a ' yy, - little child hears it for the first time, he loves it and holds it. > ) Bs Forcenturizs wise and simple alike hail the joyful wonder of the cradle at Bethlehem as the fitting prelude to the tragic wonder of the cross. The tale of the first Christmas morning is that heavenly messengers have manifested themselves in our earthly sphere; heaven and earth are bound together; God and man are kin: the spiritual is linked to the material. The Word or Expression of God is uttered through a human being. The religious message of Christmas is fundamental. "Glory to God in the highest" is first in order; then comes goodwill in and among men; and only then can peace abide. Some do not definitely recognize this religi- ous basis, yet gladly proclaim and obey the be- hest of the Christmas message. They would readily agreo with Charles Dickens when he said: "I have always thought of Christmastime, apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin--if anything belonging to it can be apart from that--as a good time, a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time," The institution which can create such a spirit even for one day is worth preserving. Christmas speaks to me with many tongues and every tongue has its own significance. 1. It speaks with the tongue of rejuvena- tion. There is here a new beginning for the race. The Calendar of Christendom teaches us to date our years not from the first Good Fiiday or Easter, but from Christmas. Since the birth of Christ, and by it, a new beginning has been made in the history and every new year may be designated a fresh Annus Domini yearof the Lord. 2. It speaks with the tongue of deep my- stery, mystery not of darkness, but of light From the nature of the case the wisest and the simplest must kneel in wonder before this real manifestation of God, the Almighty, in flesh. The Incarnation vives us the nearer vision of God. The invitation of the Season is not: *'O come let us explain Him," but: "O come let us adore Him." 8. It speaks with the tongue of Love. It is the sign of God's sympathy with His creatures. His desire to come near to them. His love has endured all human experiences from infancy to death, "The divine became human that the human may become divine." So said one of the early Fathers of the Church. Love gives itself and longs to possess the answering love of its beloved. Christ is God's unspeakable gift to us. All Christmas giving rests upon the self-giving of God. Christmas love seeks to give to those whom we love, to those who are in need, seeking for nought in return. 4. It speaks with the tongue of humility. It brings home to us the picture of one who "be- came poor" for our sake. As we remember the example of thie great humility we dare not keep the feast in pride. The poverty of the Birth does not set class against class, but it does teach how little the greatest things of life are bound up with abundance of material goods. "Simplicity"' of life is compatible with much or with little of this world's possessions; it isa thing of the spitit; and it is taught by the circumstances of the Infant Chris*. 5. It speaks with the tongue of thanksgiving. In return for God's inestimable gift to us, how can we show forth our gratitude? And for all the blessings of this life, for friends, for children, for cheer, for opportunities, for achievements, Christmas bids us thank our Heavenly Father, We gather in homes made bright by His presence; we are linked by loving thoughts to friends and kinsfolk now far away; we remember our be- loved dead who are safe in the heavenly land and surely they in Christ remember us and send us a message of good cheer. All the associations of the season bid us be thankful. 6. It speaks with the tongue of forgiveness. It gives to friends the occasion of speaking out their mutual affection, and to those ««tranged the opportunity of reconcilliation, When angels sing "Peace on Earth and Mercy Mild," can we not bury our grudges and sweeten our resent- ments? Let us pray for grace to forgive those who have annoyed us, even as we humbly pray to be ourselves forgiven by God. 7. It speaks with the tongue of eternal child- hood. It is pre-eminently the feast of the little ones. That is why the Spirit of Christmas per- sists and remains the same. Childhood means innocence, simplicity, affection, nearness to God. It means also promise, growth, development, the beginning of a process of spititual progress, the end of which is not yet, winsome glories of Home grow out of the spirit of 8. It speaks with the tongue of Hope. "Hope was born on Christmas day." The keynote of the old carol strikes the keynote of the Christmas celebration: 'Let nothing you dismay." The Diywpring from on high, the golden sunrise of Love has, dawned on the darkness and despair of mankind, to give us the valley of peace. Christmas is a day. It is also a spirit. We may live in the spirit of Christmas all the year through. That spirit is the spirit of giving oneself. of loving, of brotherhood, of service. We can keep the Christmas spitit every day but we can not keep it alone. Canada is a land of homes. The Home in the peculiar' sphere of the' Chuist: mas spirit. May this Cristmastich bring Joy and pease to our Canacian and gonsgorate 'us. to @ better sefvice in the year to cnmie! All the Martha dusted the hot plates; Bob took Tiny - dropped his precious gift down the chimney. hearth, however, the purse fell right into a stocking which was hung up to dry, and the next morning it was discovered therel When other people heard of the strange happening they too hung up their stockings, and soon all over the land it became the custom.on Christmas Eve to hang up one's stocking for St. Nicholas to fill. tight and guidance into: homes = aa We rr oo By Ven. Archdeacon Henry John Cody, M.A, D.D,, LL.D. Cratchit made the gravy (ready beforehand in a little saucepan) hissing hot; Master. Peter mashed the potatoes with incredible vigour; Miss Belinda sweetened: up the apple-sauce; Tim beside him in a corner at the table; 'the two young Cratchits set chairs for everybody, not 2 forgetting themselves, and mounting guard upon their' posts, crammed spoons into their mouths lest they should shriek for goose before their turn came to be helped. At last the dishes were set on and grace was said. It was succeeded by a breathless pause, as Mrs. Cratchit, looking elowly all along the carving knife, prepared to plunge it in the breast; but when she did, and when the long-expected rush of stuffing issued forth, one murmur of delight arose all round the board, and even Tiny Tim, excited by ite EWG YOUuNE Cratchits, beat on the table with the handle of his knife, and feebly crie ! PAY YOUR TOLL The Legend of the Christmas Stocking NY, many years ago there lived in Europe a very wealthy man named St. Nicholas. He liked nothing better than to help poor people, but disliked very much being thanked for his gifts. One Christmas Eve he wished to give a purse of gold to an old man and his little daughter, and in order to escape being seen, he climbed to their roof and Instead of landing on the There never was such a goose. Bob said he didn't believe there ever was sucha goose cooked. Its tenderness and flavor, size and cheapness, were the themes of universal admiration. Eked out by apple-sauce and mashed potatoes, it was a sufficient dinner for the whole family; indeed, as Mrs. Cratchit said with great de- steeped in sage and onion to the eyebrows! But now, the plates being ch Miss Belinda, Mrs. Cratchit left the rou alone-~to0 nervous to bear take the puding up and bin it in. . Suppose it t should net be done enough! abot ro eo Crea and oa. We wish you a Merry Chiristmes, and a Happy New Year. FONG SOY, 33 PROPRIETOR STANDARD GARAGE wishes you the compliments of the Season. Headquarters for Radio and Supplies Give the family a DeForest- Crossley Radio for Christmas. ® a Christmas Presents that will Please Fancy Cushions, 'Floor Lamps, Cedar Chests, Smokers Sets, End Tables, Sewing Baskets, Fancy Mirrors, Children' Ss s Furniture Your business has been much appreciated, and we extend to you } Kindliest Greetings of Happiness and Prosperity for Christmas : and the New Year. : A. L. McDERMOTT, Furniture Dealer, Port Perry The Royal Bank of Canada. PORT PERRY Wishes Everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year They also extend a hearty Invitation to visit them in the coming year. B. D. HENRY, Manager light (surveying one small atom of a bone upon the dish), they hada' it last!" Yet every one had had enough, and the youngest Cratchits in ical at & Lh H. Stone' s, the Store for Men DEALER IN