The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-12-30
The First Advent.

the setting sun had died away over the
Western hills; the high clouds nearest the
sunset had long since lost their golden tints,
and deepened into blackness the last twi-
light had faded and no traces were leftwhere
the bright star had gone down. The sounds
of life had all died away; the folded cattle
had ceased their lowings; the football of the
traveller was no longer heard on the road
to Bethlehem; the flocks of sheep were all
gathered for the night and the shepherds
were keeping the silent night watches. A
blaze of light irradiates all around the fields,
the trees, the sloping hill side of the deep
valley. The shepherds are awe struck by
the splendid sight. We have said it was
the silent hour of midnight-not in the
splendor of the meridian sun, when his glo-
ries might have added lustre to the scene.
The silence of the night is more favorable to
devotion than the hustle of the day. The
Angels did not make the sublime announce
ment in the mansions of mobiles or in the
palaces of Kings, but to the humble shep-
herds They fastened to the city of David,
and though they found no golden cradle,
no royal pomp, no purple, they saw the
Eternal Child the heir of David's crown and =
sceptre. Bethlehem, the scene of thenativ-
ity, is very interesting town, it is built
on the ridge of hill, below it is deep and
extensive valley, monastery is erected over
the cave of the nativity. The soil is fertile,
the fruits delicious, the population is now
about one thousand. The whole country for
miles around is picturesque, at distance
the Dead Sea Is seen as s.ril<ingly peculiar
object, and the beautiful vale itself in its ex-
uberance of fertility indicates it as one of
the choicest spots of earth
Over whose acres walked those blessed feet,
Which, eighteen hundred years ago, were nailed,
For our advantage to the bitter cross.
1t was there, when at this time of year all
nature was reposing and slumbering for
strength to enrich in Spring the surround
ing hills and wales, that more wonderful
production should be given, combining in
Himself, the spirit of a Divine Creature and
the comeliness and beauty of a human
being. Eighteen centuries have passed
and this event is fresher and more significant
than ever In every direction Churches are
festooned with garlands, and multitudes of
Joyous votaries are thronging thither to ties
! tify their gratitude by thanksgiving and
praise They will celebrate the birth of the
Teacher who taught the deathlessness ofthe
human being-the Reformer who laid down
the Golden Rule-the Saint whose faultcss
example has called forth the admiration of
even Strauss and Renan. Christ was all
heart. The great defect of the Western
world to-day is want of heart If the
birthday ola parent, Or child, or a friend,
he hailed with delight, what should be our
emotions when the anniversary of the Prince
of Peace is the day celebrated2
| If Christendom felt towards its Lord as
foreign nations feel towards their sove-
reigns, then not with the roaring of can
non, nor the waving of banners, would
this Christmas morning be ushered in, but
with the melodies of grateful anthems
There would be heard from every valley,
and echoed from every mountain the raptu-
rous carol "unto US child is born, unto
US son is given" From Church tower and
steeple the chimes would ring out the glad
tidings of the angelic hosts, "Glory to God
in the highest, on earth peace and good will
towards men," We put the evergreen in
our churches and adorn our pews with the
holly but alas in its verdant leaves we see
too faithful portraiture of our own hearts
Everywhere the joyous sound will be heard.
In far away Palestine, the Monks of Mount
Carmel listen with delight to the proclama-
ton of the tidings which 1868 years ago
were first announced near by. In the isles
of Greece the reverberation is borne from
town to town. The bells of ST. Peters in
Rome and of st. Paurs in London speak out
in thunder tones the gracious news The
chimes of old Trinity with sweet voices
pour forth their sonorous music like the
dictions on the people below; waking the
dreamer from his dreams, the toiler from
his cares; whispering pity and forgiveness
to the fallen. The festival is usually cele-
brated in the Roman and Episcopal Church
es with great splendor of ceremony, the
seats are decorated with profusion of flo
raj embroidery, the pulpits and affairs are
festooned with boughs. The Christmas tree
is native of Germany, but it has become
an American institution Let this ever vel
come day be kept with joy and gladness.
Let the hands be wreathed with evergreens
and the heart with mirth. When England
was merrie England" they kept this day
as it ought to be kept. Then the festival
commenced and continued from the eve of
Christmas to the twelfth night, and during
that time the rich and poor had genial
time. ..aala
We hope the citizens of Raleigh will keep
this Christmas in most genial and liberal
manner. Let those who have plenteous
store rejoice. Let not the poor be forgotten.
May they be kindly cared for. We have
spoken of the chimes. Now hear how
giandly poet sings:
"Ring in the valiant man and free,