The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-12-20

we are carried DaCk nearly ~ centuries anu
led to Bethlehem. That city is situated about
six miles south of Jerusalem. Some shepherds
are watching their sheep by night in field
about one mile east of Bethlehem Accustomed
to pass nights out floors, they are familiar with
the usual appearances of the sky at such times.
But now of a sudden they behold a sight so
strange that they are terrified. There is
sound of song, and beings clothed in white and
surrounded with a wOndrOus luminOusness
float in the midnight air. As the shepherds
watch In fear, 10, the angels fly toward them,
until at length they pause on wing just above
the field where the shepherds are attending
their flocks. The glory of the Lord shines
around them. Then one of the angels says:
" Fear not; for behold, bring you good Jidings
of great JOY, which shall be to all people. For
unto you is born this day, in the city Of David,
a Savior, which is Christ the Lord In that
field which tradition says is the one occupied
by the shepherds that night when the angels
appeared to them, there is now a chapel having
this name: the Chapel of The Angel to the
Shepherds"
3 The Tidjngs.
What were they? II bring good tidings of
great joy" says the angel What is this so joy
full news?
If man be sick, he thinks it good news to
learn remedy is discovered If a man be con
demned to die, pardon would be glad tidings
TO him. If a person be in slavery to cruel
master, news of his emancipation thrills his
heart with unspeakabe joy. If one be involved
in debt and unable to pay, a dispatch an
nouncing the passage of the bankrupt law
sounds like music.
The advent of Christ is all these We were
incuraby SICK and the angels at midnight
sing out that physician has come with RENE
dies for sinsiCk souls. We were all condemned
to die, and only awaiting the sentence to be
executed when angels came down on speediest
hR Il Of
that offer pardon. We were sold in bondage
under sin. That night messengers from Heaven
declared an emancipation had come to make
freemen of US. We were oppressed with a debt
could not adjust. Down from on high
came the tidings that he who holds the
keys of Heavens bank-vaults and whose
image lmpresses celestial coin, Is on his mis-
sion to settle believers debts. Is not all
this glad tidings? See that once pale face
blooming in health; the pardoned convict
ranging the country at will; the former poor
slave dancing in the joy of freedom the re-
lieged bankrupt counting his treasures There
goes the man, little while ago sick now
sturdy and vigorous off there is the liberated
captive, thanking God on Bonded knee for free
dom; at little distance further stands the
debtor reading the bankrupt law. How happy
all these are See how changed are their
countenances. They all have glad tidings.
Shall not the world rejoice when Christ comes
as Physician to cure; as Governor to pardon
as Ruler to emauclpate; as Treasurer to relieve
of debt? YEA truly these are glad tidings Of
great joy. We do we'll on Christmas to bid
each be merry.
We have sometimes in imagination carried
ourselves back to that eyeutful night. In the
darkness under an Oriental sky, flashing with
its array of myriads of systems of worlds, we
have stood with the shepherd company. An
angel comes The glory of the Lord shines
around US. We are in fear, when TO our relief
a message on angel lips bids US not be afraid
for the tidngs are good. What can be this
glad news? Angels answer, the Savior, the
Christ, the Lord has come. TO leave no doubt,
we are told where he may be found and his
condition Then the Heavenly host gather
around the announcing angel, and break forth
into praises, saying Glory be to God in the
highest, aud on earth peace, good will toward
men,"
1t is said the shepherds were sore afraid"
Angels before had come to earth on missions of
punishment aud destruction. Perhaps the con-
sciences of the shepherds were smitten. They
may have thought this messenger was one of
justice come to revenge their sins. To their
comfort the angel announces mission of love.
He is a bearer of joyful tidings. The ayeuger
is not coming. The ad vent of Prophet, Priest
and King is declared. The shepherds walt to
hear the chorus" Glory to God in the High
est"-and then, not doubling the fact an
to the manger at Bethlehem. They find
everything as the angel had represented They
return "glorifying and praising God for all
the things that they had heard and seen as it
was told unto them" They doubtless said,
I'VE have waited long He has come. He has
come" Generations had looked forward by
faith 10 this event. The shepherds bebed it.
g. 7fdiugs to Whom?
81 bring you good tidings which shall be to
Ill, IL &C.. r-nIf
the old man just and devout, filled with the
Holy Ghost, holding the Babe, Christ, in his
arms. cries out, filling the great temple with
his joyful voice: "a Light to tighten the Gen
tiles, and the glory of thy people Israel" Yes
indeed, Christ came to rescue Jew and Gentle
alike. There are no limitations as to the bene-
fits to be received through Christ by belief and
repentance. There is no heart but may be
made merry over salvation. Be glad there are
not any exceptions save such as lie Ill each in
divdual himself. We would feel sorry if it
were possible we might ever meet poor mortal
sick of sin and wanting remedy and be neces-
STATED to declare to him the unwillinguess of
Christ to be his Savior.
On the tree of life-the Christmas tree of
Calvary-there hangs Present for every one.
No one is overooked-no one forgotten. Here
it is possible among so many and with our
limited powers of memory to pass by some i'll
presentation seasons, and in many cases those,
too, of whom we think very much. But no one
is forgOtten-no one neglected-by Christ. He
died for all. Whosoever belieVcth in him need
not perish, but may have everlasting life.
N0W, too, the Father offers this Gift to the
world Christ no longer has personal, visible
communings with human beings Angels are
recalled from announcing in way to be seen
and heard the advent of Christ. The Savior
has instituted the ministry. He sends out into
all the world his servants to preach the good
tidings to all men. Thus your pastor presents
Christ to you. Your names are written on the
list for presentation. Your pastor is hidden to
offer Christ to you. Behold your Present hang
ing on the tree. See him on Calvary. He is
the Present made to the world on the first
Christmas Day. "Glory to God in the high
est"
4. Conclusion.
Thank God for Christmas. 1t is legal holt
day in every State and Territory Says the
Syracuse Christian AdU0cdte:
If intidelity would make demonstration of its
tianity's influence in the world. let il abolish
Christmas.
Anne Ayers has the following lines:
Oh flower of days! Oh, blossom of all time!
What had we been if thy sweet bud of grace
Had never opened on mans dwelling place?
Ii, wreched outcasts since earth's morning prime
We had lain prone at Edens guarded gate,
HopeleSsly lost, forever desolate
But Love and Mercy triumphed over Sin
] l. 81 81. Il.