Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1886-12-30
CHRISTMAS DAY.
By REV. L. X. MILLER.

BY REV. E. X. MILLER.
Despite differences of opinion as
to the exact day of our Savior's
birth, all sects of Chrlstendom,
Churchman, Puritan and Dssenter,
if not as religious observance, yet
in some form, practically celebrate
on the 25th of December, the nativity
of the worlds Redeemer.
Among oil classes, it is a season Of
rejoicing, and more or less of festiv-
ity. Individu al. domestic and social
life are frightened everywhere, by
the light which this day brings. The
"Day spring from on High" may be
said to visit, and the benediction of
the Christ-child, to rest everywhere,
upon the hearts and homes of Chris
tendon. 1t is an occasion for joy
and thanksgiving, and it is eminent
Iy fitting that it be observed in ex-
pressions of thanksgiving, and de-
vout gratitude to God, for His grac-
ious gift Of love. 1t is the fact that
we celebrate, and the hope inspired
by the Savior's advent, and not the
the particular day of His birth. He
was born and the Christian world
unites in joyous celebration of the
blessed fact that the world has a
Savior, (Which is Christ the Lord"
1t seems to us most appropriate
that, not only in our homes and in
the social circles of life, we should be
joyous on this glad day, but that we
should honor the day and Gods
gracious gift of love to US by special
religious observance and worship !;
that every house of worship through
out every Christian land should be
opened and filled with joyous devout
worshippers, and in this way we may
give expression of gratitude to God
for HIS wondrous mercy to our race.
So let every reader of the LEDGER
especially celebrate this glad day by
attendance upon some place of wor-
ship.
We confess to great liking for the
custom that has come down to US
from the remote past, of decorating
our churches, as we'll as our homes,
with evergreens. The evergreen as
an emblem of Immortality, is not
peculiar to our Christian civilization.
1t was so used by Greeks and Ro-
mans, and other ancient Pagan ma
tions. 1t has been adopted most ap-
propriately, by Christians, as express
sive Of their faith in that Immortality
brought to light in the gospel, and
illustrated to US in the person of the
Son of God. The use of this en-
hlem on Christmas day among Chris
tians, is universal in our churches
and in the homes and schools of our
Christian land.
The Xmas tree, SO common among
| US, and so attractive to our children,
which comes to US from Germany
and to them most likely from India, is
doubtless in memorial of the stree
of life in the midst of the Paradise oi
God"
The word or name Christmas, as
applied to the 25th Of December, il
so given from the masses celebrated
in honor of Christ's birth in all Ro
man Catholic churches. In this
church three masses are celebrated
on that day, one at midnight, one al
day-break and one in the morning O
forenoon of that day. The day il
also sacredly observed by the Greek
Armenian and the Anglican, and, in
deed, all Episcopalian churches, in
Guiding the Lutheran and the bes
regulated Methodist Episcopalial
churches. AS religious festival. j
is rejected by the church of Scotland
and dissenting churches generally
both in Europe and 10 this country
By such it is regarded as symbolic
ing too much with human inventions
and Pagan and Romish supers'itions
Still, in some form or other, th
Christian world is united, in recogniz
ing the day and in some way obsers
ling it as commemorative of the on
great fact in the history of our world
the incarnation of our blessed LORD
| Christmas has become a perman
lent institution of our Christian civil
Iization. We must have our Christ
mas with its attendant, joyous fes
ltivities. How great the light an
Joy that would go out of every lif
and home: il this day was blotte
out and all the precious memorie
that cluster about it, and the hope
INSPIRED by it. We must have ou
Christmas it has come to stay; a
abiding benediction upon our world
more and more it is becoming th
great joyous soul-inspiring annivel
sary of every human life; more an
| more as the centuries go b