Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-12-28
THE CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL,
HOW IT WAS OBSERVED IN THE
CHURCHES.



The Nativity was appropriately observed
in st. Michaels Episcopal church on the
morning Of Christmas day, bv a service
consisting Of morning prayer. HOLY Com
munion, aud sermon The Christmas
carols were effectively rendered hv the boy
choir and the children Of the Sunday school.
The sermon was upon the gospel appointed
for the festival, the text being ST. John
l.. IA, and the subject the Incarnation of
the Son OF God A service was also held
on Christmas eve, and the annual parish
festival with a Christmas tree occurred on
Thursday evening.
The HOmnn Catholic Church.
Large congregations were present at all
OF the services at the Roman Catholic
church. At the midnight mass Monday
Rev. Father Cunningham preached on the
gospel Tor the day, and Leonard's mass was
very impressively rendered by the choir.
The Univer-aIi-t Church.
The special Christmas services at the
universalist church were largely attended,
both morning and evening. The decora-
tons Of evergreen and holly were tasteful
and effective. The choir gave a special
musical program which had been carefully
prepared. and which was rendered with
tine effect. Mr.. lllman's sermon was from
Matt II ! Now when Jesus was born
in Bethlehem of Judea, etc The miracu
lous birth Of Jesus. the heralding star in
the East and the visit of the wise men.
which the text successively records, were
alluded 10 10y the speaker. with the manner
IN which the beliefs or traditions about
them originated and have grown up, and
the thought Of truth which they embody
| In jealous llrrod. the speaker said We see typi.
U Nf dan. Ia. =
/ righteousness The historical difficulties Of the
narrative Go regard Co Hrrul are simply iu-uf-ra.
bic, nut conspicuous as he was for cruelty, known
/ as Tue slayer OF his own children, he well types
/ the forces opposed to Christie reign But can
/ wickeducss defeat God plauss 40 SO fuilur.
comes to his hand And the imagery of TIN, ar.
| count surrounds the throne of the Father with
angels ready to io His bidding The Eternal has
Ills ministers that de- his pleasure, and warning is
/ given 10 dreams which saves the baby Christ for
his work in the world. Pictures Of celestial guard
anshlp, such as are contained u the SECOND chap.
yer OF Matthew, viii never iir ont Of the devuut
| heart "i Cuist"ndum. u is hard To- conceive ~
] TOD a. everywhere present, and the thought Of
| hosts OF angt Is relieves the Imagination II b
simply picture OF the truth of universal guard.
| iaushlp The mighty order iu the midst Of which
/ We arr Is the Fathers embrace. an infinitely spp.
cal proVdencr, not indeed the thought Of "a
| mighty hand To thrust danger aside but the larg
er thought that 90 all is God. Sparrows may fall
/ but none without Ga" Father Hcrud is the great
world iorrtS but they cannot thwart His plans iu
| Christ II was King that was born u the Beth.
/ lrhem caravausarv Right tu reign In every hl.
man heart and life is his. aud might ultimately to
/ conquer his right was given HIM at birth. the
might Of soul that should see the truth and low
| ingy live it
Mr.. lllman closed by reading Alfred Do.
| metts Christmas HYMN
The Christmas piece given 10y the Sunday
school in the evening was a rarely pleasing
and attractive one II was entitled "Elsie's
| Guest and was founded on a medieval
| legend. 1t represented Christ in the form
OF II beggar child coming on Christmas
night, first to the scholar in his study, then
to a children's gathering in the house Of
wealthy judge, then 10 the minister at the
| time of procession in his honor Driven
| from all these he ultimately finds welcome
at the home Of Elsie who shares with him
| her comforts and Christmas Injuries The
/ piece was finely read 10y five Young misses.
while the music written especially for the
| piece fitted the words and sentiment with
fine effect The congi egation listened with
absorbing interest To- the end Ii was the
! most effective presentation ever given at "a
/ sunday school concert in the church. aud
all who took part in it deserve praise for
the completeness with which II was rem
] .1ar,I