The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1886-12-21
CHRISTMAS DAY.
h ristmas Crib and Christmas free.

nc Among all the festivals of the Christ
IN Church there is none so beautiful,
mo rich in JOY and comfort as the festi-
al Of Christmas, which St. Chrysos-
ii ON styled 1.-The feast Of all feasts. ="
From time immemorial Christmas Day
has been celebrated in the church OF
Christ. In Catholic countries, though
not everywhere as before, a public ser
vice Is held in churches at midnight on
December 18th, 10 commemorate the
very moment Of the accomplishment OF
the most grand mystery OF the Christian
religion-the history OF God-made man.
But nowadays, unfortunately, many,
many Christians, instead Of preparing
themselves for the festival by religious
watches and prayer, as Christians used
to do in the early ages, spend the sol
emn hours OF the Christmas night in
folly, sin and dissipation, as it Is the
case here, which prevents US from hav-
ing any religious service in the cathedral
at midnight.
StiH the Catholic Church continues
keeping the grand feast with solemnity,
every priest celebrating on Christmas
Day three masses 10 commemorate the
triple birth OF Christ-IIis birth in the
flesh, His birth in our heart and His
eternal birth from the bosom OF the
Eternal Father.
As the Son OF God was born on this
day in the form Of child, it has ever
been looked upon, from remote an
tiquity, as the special and privileged fes
tivaI OF good children-a day on which
they enjoy their gifts from parents and
friends, and gather around their gay
Christmas tree or beautiful Christmas
crib
Happy the Christian family still pre-
serving that childlike simplicity and
kindly humor which prompts the pa
rents to place before their ehildren's
minds and eyes, ON Christmas Day, is a
tasteful crib" the representation of the
mystery OF the Incarnation. How touch
ing and edifying a picture to see the
eager little ones cluster around the
mimic manger with its tiny occupant,
while the simple, Christian mother
points out IL plain woIe.s OF motherly
eloqucnce the infant Savior, the placid
vi.gih-motLer, the devout patriach, St
Joseph, tie worshipping shepherd, and
impresses upon the tender minds of her
children that this pretty scene represents
one OF the greatest mysteries OF our holy
Church. Father, mother, and little one
become all children together as they
gaze upon the holy infant, and thus are
like Christ, who wishes Us TO be like
unto little children in our faith, love and
hOpefulness. And, in after years, when
these parents shall have laid down to
rest, and these little wonderers at the
crib shall have been scattered abroad in
the wide, wild wastes Of the world, each
returning Christmas festival will gather
them again in spirit around the &" family
Bethlehem" and awaken in their
wearied, anxious hearts pleasant
thoughts of their early Christian home.
Such memories, as we all know from
personal experience, make men love
God, and dispose them to obey his holy
law more faithfully.
If, near the family Bethlehem"
stands the Christmas-tree, arrayed in all
its Christmas decorations, then the glad
ness OF the family circle is complete.
Christian parents, explain to your in
nocent children the meaning of this tree
and Of its many presents. Tell them
that it is = figure OF Jesus, who is the
veritable Tree Of Life and Happiness.
The tree in Paradise brought misery and
death, but Christ brought US life, light
and divine grace.
&" Merry Christmas to all"
+ aTIJFp ETT-,TrNT .