The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1868-12-24
Thursday, December "a, 1868.
Christmas The Nativity Of Jesus Christ

vAAsWANA-ANs,r A -,VV Al R6lW In ADVANCE
or rs cents q month if allowed to run ON.
Christmas Nativity of Jesus Christ.
The term then Of niue months, from the
time Of the conception Of our blessed Re-
deemer, being nearly expired, an edict was
published by the Emperor, Augustus Caesar,
thrsAghout .sll his domipions, w hereby he,
ordered an his subjects to repair to- the re-
speetive places Of their birth, there to have
their names enrolled In conformity to
which, Joseph, being a native of Bethlehem,
prepared to go thither and perceiving that
the time drew near for his beloved spouse to
bring forth her divine Son, he resolved upon
taking her along with him.. At length ar
rived at the city of Bethlehem, they found
there 50 great a multitude of people who had
resorted thither from all parts on the same
OCCASION that, by reason Of their extreme
poverty and distress, they could find no room
in the inn. Wearied with the labors Of a
tedious journey, confused, terrified andtabash-
ed, amidst aerowded populaee The mother
of God seeks to no purpose, place. Of rest
and being every where refused admittance
for herself and spouse. is at last reduced to
seek for shelter in honely shed, the
usual refuge Of persons surprised by sudden
storms of rain. They disdained not the stall
for their habitation, truss of hay for their
bed, dumb creatures for their companions
with every thing about them that seemed
lowly, mean, and contemplate. as
Itmight afford us new matter of spiritua
joy, were weto contemplate the greatness Of
this days solemuityu On this day was born
Christ, THAT. is, the Lords truly anoint-
ed. And, therefore, this is truly the birth
day of the eternal King of Heaven, the Sor
of the Almighty God. This dey, Unto rs
child Is born, and unto as a Sen is given.-
Isaiah vi. On this day, the sun of eterna
righteousness, which, before was eclipsed
spread forth the bright beams Of his mercy
and grace to the world On this day tn,
Holy Ghost. head Of the chosen people o
Gods Church, came from the inward recess
of his sacred bride chamber, and the fairest ii
form. Of the sons Of men, graciously unveiled
his lovely and long wished for and pleasin!
countenance. Onthis day was first heart
that angelical hymn. Gloria in ercelsis Dec
DC; Glory be to God on high, &c. Thi
day, as the church everywhere sings,;th
heavens DISTILLED honey, and the earth echoe
with apgcllcal notes. On this day the hi
mainly and benignity Of God our Savior
FIRST appeared among us. On this day Coz
was. worshipped inthe likeness Of sinful flesh
On this day were fulfilled those two wonder
full mysteries surprising all understanding
and to be reached only by faith, to wit, Cos
is born, and Virgin brings forth Son.
On this day many, almest innumcrable, Other
miracles were wrought. In word, it was o,
this day properly speaking, that all has beer
said Of the incarnation, shope forth in it
true lustre. For whatever was begun before
was not completed nor manifested till now
wherefore, it may not be improper to unit
those passages which seemed different il
point of time, and to make them the subjec
of the same devout meditation. Not without
great reason then, you sec, is this day day
Of public rejoicing, Of spiritual mirth, ane
universal gladness. To confirm which, Coo
was pleased to work the following miracles il
the very centre of Paganism. At Rome wa
celebrated tavern, or house for drinking
known by the title of the Pay house, because
thither the Roman soldiers used to resort tt
regale themselves, and to spend their pay
I when they received it and here, on the same
day on which Christ was born, sprung fortl
a rich fountain Of precious oil; and at tn.
same time, circle round the sun, in appear
ance like the rainbow, was seen in the Heav
ems, and visible to the whole universe AnC
the golden statute which Romulus, the found
er of the Roman state, had erected in hi,
palace, and which, according to the Pagan
oracles. was aot to fall IT'LL a virgin SHOULD
bring forth a son, tumbled. down to thu
ground, and was reduced to dust. All thi
came 10 pass. on the very day and instan
that Christ was born sf4e.si +
THE MARCH OF C1vifnAr1oN.-In twelve
days person can now so from New York to
San Francisco-oyer 5000 miles. That new
railroad aOut West" has already done some
great things for the traveller, but when com
pletcd, the ordinary running from the Atlant.
IL, to the Pacific will be less than week.
A Radical Journal remarks of Gen. Grant
that he will not, if he knows it, have around
him thief or the friends of thief In
that event .Radicahsm stands no chance oil
holding office undcr Grants administration