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.