New-York tribune., 1876-12-25
THE BABE IN THE MANGER.

me Rer Thomas Arnttnge D. D at @e FV' A'e"ue B'p'a
The Rev. Thomas Armitage, d. d., preached
at the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church, st FOrtystxht
yesterday morning, taking for his text Luke, H. 10;
1.-THE babe lying In the manger"
with the birth Of each babe God throws a newly per
fu1aed atmosphere into the house You hardly know
what 1t is but new set Of virtues settle about you like
distilled dcw-the meek the passive, the simple. tho
protective, have come 70 peryaGe your dwelling Ike m
atmosphere, and all is changed that you scarcely
know what as yOu The truth is that God has hidden
himself In the child In order 10 awaken new powers
I'm you and so you 90 about telling everybody a the
world the greatest possible secret, that the little da
ling has brought much love WITH IL But what Of
the Ouieas the homeless and the waf The child Of ho
destitute, the hOuseess, tie poverty STRICKEN was ba
"babc lying In the lanser aud yet we real nowhere of
such Joy inspired by the birth o any babe as Ills excited
But the 10y inspired by the babe Ia the mangef 100
high and pure, too broad and benevolent TO laugh IN
bright eyes, and ush In rosy cheeks, and eyaroate
carol and music aud hell. These cannot mold the
Thoughts 10 the earth Ii lsm1ch too tender aud syn.
pathetic TO allow OF such limits The echo OF child
Laughter, aud thc sound OF meiTymlkng, VIII find ther
WAY outside in deeds OF peace and good WILL Tue
helplessncss the babe in the manger" taking gifts
from strangers tells the Joy heart that there are poor
hungry ones, outsider that lalfstaEyed children Sse
shivcging IN some poyerty-strckeD home near by Re
member that tGe poor are with .us stu ana lMs !ea
with very little Christmas cheer either IN their homes
hearts Bread and beef, aud coag and blankets, VIII
make them rejoice; inst; with Cmal's enth ana tse9
IN it. In these houses babes are weeping, instead
slngng; go, " turn their mourning INTO laughter"
they have no holly a thg r homes 90 wrcathe little
their hearts. DesOate mothers sigh there, make then
sing Your "babe in the maDgeTD II the brother OF
beggar aud prince. Can you forget that he was poo
hoilsces and lonely that there was place for HIM
in tho inns" And He is here again In the sane need ana
garb, IN His little ones and surely you will not close
Your hands, keep from Him His treasures. The man
who Yields them the most freely viii have the happess
Christmas this year. IL is IN your power 10 set many
sOrTOwful rejoicing tomorrow. BE just a. happy 4;
you yourseves then 20 your way, eat the f2 ana
drink The sweet and send portions unto them fof WHOM
nothing Is prepared
After all, t well becomes us now 10 look this "babe
IN the manger.' end ask ourselves Who Il He Sarey
one who could create snch duties as / have now fei
before yon, aud the heart by every healthy a.
centive 20 discharge them, must he divine child TIE
birth Of obscure infant in an Obscure province OF e
world, who has hed ali the ages since with luminous
ecos, ana who has created now civilization aInong
the most powerful nations OF tue earth sharply cutting
on all that Is modern from all that ancient canBos
be an ordinary peasant child. How can We keep tae
birthday with Joy without feeling transport Tor the CHILD
bOru While He is still present with us at the eslys
still turning the water into wine, we cannot be VyA
without the gilt OF love aud the hymn OF enthusiasts
praise Neither does the celebration belong 10 one V
pie but TO all people and kindred and tongues, and c
cally may all the young keep the chdrens festival 40
this end will tell the story 20 children al the M
SIDE by prOelaBDg that their elder brother Is oOtn o
Is your chlds brother hy blood perfect in hs tender
natural Bonds which tie Him 20 them. The babe IN me
mnDgcr Is our klnsman. In Him you meet hunanLHS @
OF God and detiyIng OF man. Then make your ehlten
happy tomorrow as redeemed children. show lhen
that you free M gifts ths babe IN the niAseh
freely gave himself and seek the poor hailoSs sOe
posed limbs TO make them blessed. Do lt 10 thea a
yon do Il to the babe in the mangcf This Is he p9ss
way TO take the babe out OF the mangef ana 70 give "
a warmer cradle, through His own little ones.