Life, 1897-12-04 · page 3 of 34
Life — December 4, 1897 — page 3: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of "Christmas" Page from Life Magazine This page features a Christmas poem by E.S. Martin titled "Christmas," surrounded by decorative Victorian-era illustrations of angels, cherubs, and holiday imagery. The poem's central satire targets widespread skepticism about Christian teachings. It mocks "doubters" and "scoffers" who question gospel stories while remaining greedy and competitive. The speaker argues that despite intellectual doubt, Christmas's message—peace, goodwill, human unity with the divine—remains worthy of genuine observance. The poem criticizes learned people who dismiss religious doctrine intellectually yet fail morally. It calls readers to embody Christmas values: kindness, fellowship, and love. The ornate angelic decorations reinforce the religious sentiment being defended. This represents turn-of-the-century American periodical satire addressing religious skepticism prevalent among educated readers.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Christmas. HOUGH doubters doubt and scoffers scoff, And peace on earth seems still far off ; Though learned doctors think they kuow ‘The gospel stories are not so; Though greedy man is greedy still And competition chokes goodwill, While rich men sigh and poor men fret, Dear me! we can’t spare Christmas yet! Time may do better—maybe not ; Meanwhile let's keep the day we've got! On Bethlehem’s birth and Bethlehem’s star Whate’er our speculations are, Where’er for us may run the line Where human merges with divine, We're dull indeed if we can’t see What Christmas feelings ought to be, And dull again if we can doubt It's worth our while to bring them out. “Glory to God: goodwill to men!” Come! Feel it, show it, give it, then! Come to us, Christmas, good old day, Soften us, cheer us, say your s To hearts which thrift, too eager, keeps In bonds, while fellow-feeling sleeps. Good Christmas, whom our children love, We love you, too! Lift us above Our cares, our fears, our small desires! Open our hands and stir the fires Of helpful fellowship within us, And back to love and kindness win us! comicbooks.com