The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-12-25
CHRISTMAS.

II is 1880 years this blessed morn since the
star of Bethlehem Ehone down upon the lowly
manger whore Christ the Savior was born.
A prince was born that happy days prince
of tho throne of God--and loud anthems
peSled through tbs periphery and jasper and
jaointh halls Of he aven. Hessw not the light
Of this earth amid any of its splendors, its
pomp, its glory, but on = couch Of straw
with tho cattle of the stable about Him, the
child, Who as man, was "iull of sorrow and
acquainted with grief" was brought forth to
His lite of divine love, divine mercy, and
divine sacrifice. The rustls Of angel wings
filled. all tina! humble birthplace, and tho
peans Of Seraphim and Chsrubim trerabed
on the air, while the wise meE of the east
came and worshiped en- Bonded knees, sad
gave precious gifts Of gold and frankiucense
and myrrh. From that dawning of the Chris
tian era new light began to shed its radiance
throughout the world, and since the dsy of
the crucihxion on Calvarys hill, thirty-three
yearshftcrwards the effulgence of the cross
has grown brighter and brighter, penetrating
tine hearts ofmen in every quarter Of the
globe,
From Groenland's icy mountains,
10 midas coral strand
Where Afrlc's susny fountains,
Kohl down tins golden sand.
II has beensthe custom of all christian poo-
pleI, since the time when the memory Of
man runneth not to tho contrary,a for CEN
turtles and centuries through the dark ages
and the middle ages ana the more enlight-
enea days Of modern times, to celebrate this
day with becoming ccremonas of worship
and of rejoicing and of merry making. The
Yule log and the mistletoo bough, handed
down from generation TO generation from
tho stern old Druids, with their au.ttre
priests and vestal nuns, worshiping amid the
oak groves Of Britain, have bean appropri.
atsd for Christmas service by the youag.
This is the ssasoa of gift-msking,
too, appropriate testimonials of mans
appreciation Of God the Fathers gift
Of His Son for the redemption
of sin-stricken humanity. If Christ
the Son of God could suffer upon the
cross and pass through the dark valley of the
shadow of death, could give up His life,
acohed at and booted by the rabble that
man might by his atoning blood inherit life
everlasting, how well can we affsrd to give
of our possessions TO tho lass fortunate of our
fellow men on this day, in commemoration
of the gift of jesus. Christ Himself hath
said, "rhe poor 20 have with We always"
and what better day of all the year is there
on which to romsmber them. There is i)y
and pleasure and happiness in millions OF
households throughout the land thi, dav.
The sweet laughter Of innocent childhood in
parlor and hall is heard, and there arc morry
greetings and glad chances from their eldcrs,
and the sun shines down upon all the earth
with seeming softer glory. But sorrow Is
abroad too Gsunt hunger has reared its affairs
in many homes and want nutters lis rar:
about tho wan forms of women and
children and strong mon for mockery 70,
the chill blasts Of winter. And disease and
death hold revelry in palaces and novels and
the pinohsd features of squalid poverty
writhc IN pain as the fsver's burning touch
wrisgs them, while many thers DO who to.,
IN suffering on silkea couches or lie rigid
WIN FOLDED hands and oyclids pressed il
\ vAkeless slumber, while apguished heart,
weep and mourn above them. This dav
cAii'sm" day, il the symbol Of new ords,