The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-25
Special Contributors.
A THEME FOR CHRISTMAS.
BY REV. NJ. d. SHUTTER.
minneapolis, Mimi

minneapolis. Mimi
1.-The time draws near the birth of
Christ" sings Tennyson. We read
again the stories that have thrown a
halo around that event. Bethlehem
becomes once more sacred place. Our
hearts go back to the rude manger. The
star is again lighted, and we bow with
the wise men of old at the feet of the
infant Christ. Once more the heavens
are afiame with angels, and we listen
with the shepherds to their songs.
"Glory to God in the highest, on earth
peace, good will to men," Explain it
as we may, eighteen hundred years ago
was One born who, in the words of
Richter, "being holiest among the
mighty, and mightiest among the holy,
has with that pierced hand of his lifted
the gates of empire off their hinges,
turned the stream of centuries out of
its channel, and still governs the ages"
-s There is a beautiful idea in the old
German legend, that on Christmas
morning the child that was born in
manger revisits the earth to look after
all the little ones; that, from the prince
in his royal cradle to the baby who
!. 4.slaepss ike himaelf. in4straw, none are
left unvisited. The day surely has
peculiar interest for childhood. How
bright grow the dear faces, how merrily
bound the innocent hearts, at the ap-
proach of Christmas Whether he
comes to the cradle or not, Jesus visits
the thought and affection of the child
to-day, bringing "glad tidings of great
joy"
Our minds irresistibly turn to those
passages which record his relations to
little children. They reveal one of the
most sweet and beautiful parts of his
nature. Our hearts are drawn closer
to him when we know that he loved
the little ones. One or two occasions
there were-we never can forget
when he took them in his arms and
blessed them, pronouncing those words
that will. live while there are human
hearts: "Suffer the little children to
come unto me and forbid them not, for
of such is the kingdom of the heaven"
He rebuked the strife of his disciples
by the example of a child, and told those
hard, ambitious men: Except ye be con-
verted and become as little children, ye
can not enter the kingdom of heaven"
He assured them that whosoever re-
ceived little child in his name, re-
ceived himself. The child is his repre-
sentative. The cup of cold water given,
the kind word spoken, the tender care
taken, are all for the master. st. Christie
pher bearing the crying infant over the
waves finds that he has been carrying
Christ. The boy in the German chari-
ty school, setting an extra chair for
Jesus at the table, finds it occupied by
hungry child.
He noticed their games in the market
place, he stood by their beds of sickness,
he received their praises in the temple.
That temple scene is very touching
Men had turned against him, the shouts
of the multitude had died away, the
wrath of Scribe and Pharisee was blaz-
ing, but the voices of children made
vocal the courts of the temple with
Hosannas. "These be thy followers,
o Galilean nearest thou what these
say ?" sneer the priests. "Yea," was
the answer, "out of the mouth of
babes hast thou perfected praise" He
who loved the children in his brighter
days was not deserted by them when he
stood in the shadow of the cross
Jesus taught US that God cares for
children as well as for men and women.
In the little world that childhood creates
for itself, real world with real griefs
and cares and heart-aches though
they be over broken wagons and disa-
bled dOlls,-the Father dwells as surely
as in your larger world, o man, with its
mighty interests. L am not sure that
he cares much more for the stately
edifces you build of brick and stone
than for the house your little one builds
of blocks on the carpet. When your
marvellous plans and ambitions are
sifted by the final judge, perhaps you
would exchange them all for some of
the bright faneies that dance through
the brain of your boy or girl. 1 wish
knew just what Jesus meant when he