Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1870-12-20
Merry Christmas.
Written for the HrRA1n1

mat IS Christmas and why,
throughout all Christendom. is that
day celebrated in joyous festivities
more than any other day F.?
Tradition has gathered up the sun-
beams of sixty centuries, and formed
coronet of light around the natal
day of him who died our world 10
save One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-one years have circled
away since a company of Hebrew
shepherds, guarding their focks by
night, listened to the gladstone song
OF angel choristers echoing along the
corridors of Heaven, when the infant
Redeemer was born.
The early life of Jesus is hidden in
obscurity, with the exception of one
or two events of his childhood and
youth, but in his manhood and min
istry his character IS beautifully un-
folded and yet the very sunlight Of
his countenance dazzled the ewes of
his countymen, so that they beheld
him only through glass darkly."
They speculated and disputed con
corning his claims to the Messiahsbip
some said that he was John tho Ban
tist risen from the dead. Others that
one OF the old prophets had reappear-
ed, while small minority declared
that "this is indeed the Christ. -
"Never man spake like this man"
was whispered through the multitude
as they listened to his bold assertions.
startling precepts, whitening reprocf
ana melting eloquence. He granpled
with the powers of darkness, wrestIed
with misguided intellect, reconstruct
ed the Kingdom Of Israel, proclaimed
universal brotherhood of men. and
brought life and Immortality to light.
lie became identified with all condi-
tlons Of men born as lowly as the
poorest, he made his grave with the
rich in his death. He bore the bnr-
dens OF humanity on his own great
heart and set before the world the
only perfect example Of self-sacrifc-
ing devotion to truth.
Publius Lentulus, writing to the
Roman Senate, thus describes his
personal appearance and character
Somewhat tall and comely, with a
very reverend countenance, sucb IA
the beholder must love and fear. His
hair the color of q chestnut fully ripe.
plain to the ears, whence, downward
1T is more orient, curling and waving
about his shoulders. In the midst
of his forehead is a stream or postill-
ion after the manner oftho Nazarites:
forehead plain and very delicate his
face without spot or wrinkle beauti-
tul, with lovely red his nose and
mouth so formed rs nothing can be
represented his beard thick, in color
f'Ake his hair, not over long his look.
innocent and mature his eyes, gray,
quick and clear. In reproving, he is
terrible in admonition, courteous
and fair-spokcn; pleasant in CONVEX
satlon, and mixed with gravity. 1t
cannot be remembered that any have
seen him laugh, but many have seen
him weep. In proportion Of body,
most excellent his hands and arms
delectable 10 behold. La speaking,
very temperate, modest and wise
man OF singular beauty, surprising
tho children Of men,"
Whether we regard Jesus Of Naz-
ureth as man or God, or an inexph-
cable union Of Deity and humanity in
one person, still his birthday, or the
day OF his incarnation, IS the most
important and memorable event in
the history Of our race. From that
suspicious morn dates the beginning
OF q better civilization than the
world had ever known before Gov.
ernments, laws, manners and Gus
toms Of the civilized world have been
more or less Influenced by the pre-
cepts OF Jesus Christ. What a roy
al diadcm adorns the mighty victors
brow. His name is lisped by the
child, sung by the poet and hon
ored by the sage. In a hundred diff
terent tongues his memorable sayings
have been uttered and rehearsed.
Other books becoming stale and out
Of date, yield their place to more
modern publications but the volume
containing the discources Of him who
taught as ono having authority, is
daily increasing in circulation; the
gilded mansion and tho lowly cot
tage alike contain the book of books.
Christmas, then, belongs to no
church, or sect, or class of men it is
the golden heritage Of humanity all
civilized nations have common
partnership in this memorable dav.
When the Heavenly messengers
brought intelligence to our world Of
the advent Of Messiah, they proclaim
ed "Good tidings OF great Joy to all
people" and it ought to be the whole
worlds happiest day, day Of uni
vorsal festival, girdlpg the globe
with its halo Of peace Somebody |
has said that,
Christmas comes but once year
But when it comes il brings good cheer
Especially does it bring good cheer
TO the children as well it may, re-
calling the childhood of Jesus, and in
subsequent years his tender regard |
for the little ones, whom he took in
his arms, laid his hands upon aud |
blest, saying "of such is the kiagdom
Of Heaven" Then let every com
munity observe the time-honored
Christmas tree custom, bid defiance
to Sol in his orbit, and have mid
summer night in cold winter, or
make december IS pleasant as
May" Let every child be remom-
bcred, but especially the poor and
the fatherless. If Christmas trees do
not grow in your vicinity, Just think
Of the stockingless feet Of the orphan,
and remember that he is somebody's
child Let the rich remember the
poor, tho young the old, and the old
the young and may the day he one
of universal joy and gladness, when
boys are men and m en- arc bows
when toll gives place to rest, and
care to fIll felicity. let Jews and