The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1883-12-22
SAN SABA NEWS.
snturda, Morning, December se, 1883.
Our Christmas serInon.


On Tuesday next, all the millions Of
souls 10 Christian lands viii join in
celebrating the day set apart to COM
memora,e the birth Of the Prince OF
Peace. 1t matters not that the curious
in such thugs have questioned the
correctness of the statement That the
25th Of December WAS the day when
the great Leader VI the new faith lirst
saw the light Of Palestiue's morning
It matters not that some of tho sol.
empty which was feature Of Chris
tiau observance in days gone 10y has
departed from the customs that char
act.rize the manner ia which the day
Is spent. In spite of all thing, the
aun, in all his yearly round, dnwns on
no day that comes with more Of glad
meas than does this holiday Of the
Christian world.
Almost nineteen centuries have roll
ed away since the angel host poured
out the grand chorus that accompanied
the birth Of tie Child Christ. Before
the first of those centuries had passed
the influence Of His teachings had ex
tended far beyond tho boundaries oi
the land TINT gave Him birth. And
each succeeding year has Witnessed
new conquests for the grand army al
peace that goes foslh to conquer under
the banner of the cross. 70 doubf
the God given divinity of His mission
at this day would be to doubt that the
sun IS suurce OF light, and TO doubt
the heaven born origin of truth itself
To-day the spires of churches dedi-
Gated to the religion which He taught,
point heavenwurd all over every hnd
where enlightenment chaiacterizcsmen
aud women, whore culture finds u
home, where aspiration for a higher
and diviner experience mark the lives
and tho unmistakable prog,ess Of ;he
people.
Bat, in addition to all the thought.
connected with tho character aud
spread OF the Christian religion, there
are other aud almost equally promin-
ent feelings aud memories that come 70
those who have been familiar with the
observances of this annual holiday.
Memories fond, sacred memories --
will come with preparations, for Tues
days festival; memories of childhuud's
home, 40 far back in life's morning,
when grey haired grandparents and
father and mother, on whose brow the
crown of time's cares alrcndy rested
heavily, joined in the festivities and
the sacred ubservancos Of Christmas
day; memories, tou Of the sud holiday,
that came at last, and have been az
many times repeated, when tho places
of the dear ones at the social bJard
aud in the family circle of prayer were
vacant, and when only the little
mounds covered with Decrmbct's snow,
and the great void In life's nlfrciinns,
told the story OF the days gone by and
of the loved one that had passed OH
before.
Aud yet, in spite of all these tender,
hallowed memories, there Is II glAdncss
which come with the dawn of Christ
mas morning. New lves aud now
loves have appeared upon the scene Of
action. Fresh, untricd hunds and
hearts thar have not learned SORROW
have come In tn participate in all there
is ofjoyousness. Aud 80, win them.
our hearts take on fresh glnducss us
the merry bells tell ia that the day has
dawned that 50 long agu WIS n-heard
in with the grand, immortal chorus;
"PeaeC on enrth, good will to men'
May the influence Of that chorus enter
1 to the souls and lives Of uur people.
that the future shall bear hounieuus
harvest of all the fruits of culture, 0f
enlightenment, of progress. Of liberty.
Of divine aspifntiona that accompany
the spreni Of the real spirit Of Him
nj i'll. 9.