“A Christmas Reverie.” from the December 29, 1864 Door County Advocate
A Christmas Reverie.
Again the time-honored, dear old “Merry Christmas” is with us; and for one, in our odd, poor way, we will observe it. No fire shall be kindled in the office—neither will we labor. A quiet, warm day—a still, holy Sabbath—a merry and, to many of our readers, a sad Christmas! For how can the bereaved parents or the lone widow prevent the mind from wandering to the far away battle-field, in the land of sun and flowers, where moulders the manly form of him in whom their hopes and love were centered? How can they look upon the vacant chair, and miss the well known voice, and not mourn their loss? The nation mourns with them. But “bright are the homes that sorrows never dim,” and many find their household band unbroken; to them the angel has not whispered, and they should and do rejoice. In so doing they should not forget others less favored.
In times of war and in times of peace— in misfortune or fortune—Christmas is always welcome. It is a pure, happy, golden day, which we hope may be perpetuated and enjoyed forever. In conclusion, we wish for all our readers many returns of the Merry Christmas, and to all a Happy New Year!
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
[Author not stated, but it may have been written by both Joseph Harris Sr. and the local editor, William L. Abbott. It is similar to “A Soldier’s Revery.” which was printed in 1865 from W. L. A. at Camp Randall, Wisconsin. https://www.google.com/books/edition/Arthur_s_Home_Magazine/iUA9AQAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA390
The quote about homes that sorrows never dim comes from “Come Unto Me, When Shadows Darkly Gather”, with the first word changed: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/c/u/n/m/cunmwhen.htm ]
Articles by Joseph Harris, Sr.
https://doorcounty.substack.com/t/joseph-harris-sr
Christmas-related articles
https://doorcounty.substack.com/t/christmas