They
gradually increase in fervor and pathos during the season of Advent,
until they break forth in full jubilee on the morning that brought
peace and good-will to men. I do not know a grander effect of music on
the moral feelings, than to hear the full choir and the pealing
organ performing a Christmas anthem in a cathedral, and filling
every part of the vast pile with triumphant harmony.
It is a beautiful arrangement, also, derived from days of yore, that
this festival, which commemorates the announcement of the religion
of peace and love, has been made the season for gathering together
of family connections, and drawing closer again those bands of kindred
hearts, which the cares and pleasures and sorrows of the world are
continually operating to cast loose; of calling back the children of a
family, who have launched forth in life, and wandered widely
asunder, once more to assemble about the paternal hearth, that
rallying place of the affections, there to grow young and loving again
among the endearing mementos of childhood.
There is something in the very season of the year that gives a charm
to the festivity of Christmas. At other times we derive a great
portion of our pleasures from the mere beauties of nature.
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