Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. This is Christmas eve! In tens of thousands of homes tonight there is gaiety and gladness; gardens come to the Windows in the form of wreaths, and forests into parlors in the form of trees; the chil dren's long advent is ended as they jump with joy about their toys: the very atmosphere is charged with cheer; love sparkles, gifts abound, greetings exchange, hearts soften. Everywhere there IS a new spirit, a new life, a new hope, a new joy! But What is it all about? Why are people mak ing merry? Why call this a season of joy? There must be some reason for it. I can understand why We shoot off firecrackers on the Fourth of July, be cause that is the day we celebrate the shot of liberty that was heard 'round the world; I can understand why we are silent for a few moments on Armistice Day, for that is the day we pay tribute to the heroes of our battlefields. I can understand a man making a great feast because he has come into a fortune. But I cannot imagine him doing so if his fortune is only a joke.

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. This is Christmas eve! In tens of thousands of homes tonight there is gaiety and gladness; gardens come to the Windows in the form of wreaths, and forests into parlors in the form of trees; the chil dren's long advent is ended as they jump with joy about their toys: the very atmosphere is charged with cheer; love sparkles, gifts abound, greetings exchange, hearts soften. Everywhere there IS a new spirit, a new life, a new hope, a new joy! But What is it all about? Why are people mak ing merry? Why call this a season of joy? There must be some reason for it. I can understand why We shoot off firecrackers on the Fourth of July, be cause that is the day we celebrate the shot of liberty that was heard 'round the world; I can understand why we are silent for a few moments on Armistice Day, for that is the day we pay tribute to the heroes of our battlefields. I can understand a man making a great feast because he has come into a fortune. But I cannot imagine him doing so if his fortune is only a joke.