Mexico weekly ledger., 1886-12-23
HOW CHRISTMAS SHOULD BE KEPT.
BY REV. w, II, TURNER,

Christmas Is an anniversary day OF
joy hence it should be so observed
that its memory may be unmixed
with regrets. 1t should on all ac-
counts be regarded as a holy day, a
religious festival. On this day was
manifested to the world a s~inless
Savior. The judge that condemned
Him, the infidel that denies Him, the
sinner that rejects Him, all unite in
willing, Or unwilling testimony to the
purity of his character whose nativi-
ty we this day celebrate. Was the
moral sense of men as acute as it
should be, or their appreciation of
moral purity as keen as it should be,
no characteristic of the Savior would
excite in them more lively emotions
than his perfect sinlessness. There
fore we conclude that the ribald feast
and song, the drunkenness and de-
bauchery that two often characterize
the observance of this glad day is not
only peculiarly offensive to good
men, but wantonly insulting to God.
Rather let the observance of the day
be with a purpose to conform Il
lives to the life of Him who is not
only our Redeemer, but example as
well.
In the birth of Christ, God pro-
claimed as he could have done in no
other way, his benevolent disposition
toward his creature man; therefore
he who would nationally observe that
event must put away the ingratitude
of his heart !; and give place to joy,
and thanksgiving to God for his IN
s~peakable gift. More he must give
expression to these sentiments as oc-
casion offers in words and deeds.
Initiating the angel choir that brought
the glad news to earth; let him give
glory to God, and proclaim peace on
earth, good will to men. There can
be no real gratitude to God that does
not manifest itself in love to his crea-
lures. Now, all about US there are
tempted, tried and troubled souls,
who if they do not need materials
aid, want words of encouragement
and sympathy. Would you keep
Christmas worthily, and evidence
your gratitude to God, then pour out
the coin of your heart until the
tempted are delivered and the troub-
led comforted. Happy is the man
who has that in his soul which acts
upon the detected as April airs upon
violet roots. Gifts of the hand are
silver and gold, but the heart gives
that which neither silver nor gold
can buy. To be full of cheerfulness,
sympathy, and helpful hope, causes a
man to carry blessings of which he is
himself as unconscious as a lamp OF
its own shining.
And then alas! there are Gods suf-
fering poor. "The poor We have
with you always Let him who
would get the most joy out of the
celebration of this day minister to
their necessities. God will approve,
concience will applaud, and by and
by the Master will say: SIN as
much as We did it unto one of the
least Of these my brethren We did ii
unto me-"
In keeping this anniversary parents
ought not to forget that the import
ant duty devolves upon them to make
it a great occasion IN the home. Let
the day be honored; and made men,
orahle to the household by all the
pure and holy ministries of love.
Let the family board be loaded with
good cheer; let gifts of permanent
value be dispensed among the child.
rem; let them be taught the story OF
the nativity; bring their hearts into
sympathy with its lessons of benevo-
lenee and love, tune their voices to
the melody Of the sweet songs OF
redemption; and much will have been
done to unite closely in affection the
hearts of the children to the worlds
Redeemer. The memory and bless.
ed influence of even one such Christ,
mas-tide, spent in childaood's home
will remain an entity and vital forev.
er, strong and vigorous to control the