Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-12-23
CHRIST, CHRISTMAS, CHRISTI
ANITY,

These are words of talismanic power and
stir to the depth the heart of humanity
They belong to the world, and no community
or nation of people can appropriate them in
precedence to another. The first name that
gives significance and character to the two
other words, is allied to our nature by an in
disoluble link, Hehaving assumed it's form and
essence. He discarded the angelic and chose
the human that he might be one IF US, and
thereby be brought into the closest utilization
and sympathy with us. lie thus became
Savior suited in character and essence to be
seen. felt and heard and physically appre>
hended by Us. The whole tale of his life from
Bethlehem to Calvary shows the human side,
whilst the three closing years demonstrate suf
ficiently the God-Man. We recognize in him
Savior-God horn to redeem. Sins blight
and curse, and ruin rested upon the race from
its prineval parentage, and as the ages swept
by and humanity filed the earth sin dire eff
feots cropped out more fully, and mortality,
grooming. under its ponderous burden, sighed
and longed for the promised dcliverancc The
Adamic, Patriarchal, Mosaic and Prophetic
ages gave out their several Mesiauc utter.
ances, and the faithful. laying up these precious
deliceraLces, awaited with anxiety the coming
Of the Heavenly visitor. The precise era
the fulness Of timc-because of universal
peace-the particular spot, Beth-eh
Ephrasah, the peculiar and imposing circum-
stances attending His advent-a manager ma
tivity, angel heralds and human alteration.
were all foretold and verified, and thus the
glad epoch, the burden of song and prophecy
and faith for four thousand years. broke upon
our world. For eighteen hundred years and
more the joyous refrain has greeted the natal
day of the Savior Jesus. These happy greet
ings ceased not with the lapse of time and
generations, but in the march of the ages
its return of 1873 the world will bring it's
better gifts than gold, frankincense and
myrrh, and lay them at the Infant Savior's
feet. In this Offering the dwellers on the con.
tinents and islands. in the North, South East
and West will join and hail him l., I'd of all.
1t is ours to witness and participate in the
universal jubilee.
From this Christmas birth Christianity has
sprung. Tardily at first it laid it's hold, but
steadily and surely it progressed. It won it's
way through Jewish prcjudices and Pagan
idolatries, over systems of philosophy hoarv
with age, amid opposition and persecution of
fire and torture. until the nations are its
trophies and the world its field of Triumph
Its heralds, with life in hand, crossed the
oceans. threaded the isles of the sea- and pierced
the very core of heathendom to plant the cross.
until Ethiopia's hand is arasped. Whilst to
day our earth may be ftly compared to a
temple, with Heaven its dome, and its people
of every cline and tongue lisping the Savior's
name.
1t is especially ours, as a great christian
nation. to feel it's blessed effects and rejoice
in them. Christianity is our country s greatest
boon. It's Hero, the Savior Jesus, will he
the nations guest. His wand of power will
stretch over the whole land aud hold in mute
suspense trade, commerce and every industry
Our National Capital in its Executive, Ju-
dicial and Legislative departments, for the
time, will own His sway and rest from labor.
Our great cities will buzz with Joyous greet>
ing in His name; our towns and villages
abound with gladness through its influence
the hcarth>stones of the remotest hamlet be
cheered by the seasons hallowed associations
whilst the country. from ocean to ocean, in
its length and breadth, revels in holiday time.
Christianity in it's genial, blessed, and elivas-
ing power permeates the whole body polite.
Christmas is all over our domain. Christ ia
named in every home
Let his peans rrandly swell,
Over mountain, hill and dell,
All the wore III "ne acclaim,
Give glory to His name.