The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-12-21
For THE REPUBLICAN.
A Few Thoughts for Christmas.
BY VIM. NJ. SPANGLER.

Christmas is again approaching and
as we think of it, we are brouht 10
contemplate the wOndrous &rte4
Nativity of the worlds greatest and
lest man, the man Christ Jsus. Acc
cording to GODS way ofspeking and
the Christians way of thhking and
believing, this is the gretest event
that ever occurred in the history Of
our world. 1t is, indeei. an event
unparalleled in history. which ex-
cites the wonder and ADMIRATION OF
angels, and betOkenS thesalvatlon OF
sinful men. Had Chris never been
born into our world, He could never
have suffered and died or the saliva
ton of men. His birth. therefore. is
an event of most glorious description.
iull of good news to our fallen. per-
lshing world. And sucf an impress
sion has this event male upon the
Christian world, that in the transac-
ton of business we daa from the
birth of Christ, 9nd not rom the be-
ginning of creation, or from the Jew.
i~h era, A dIvinely appointed mes.
senger brought the good news of this
event, and sounded it into the ears of
a world cursed by sin. Angels are
the messengers of GOD sent to minis
ter to his people; and one of those
beautiful, golden winged beings.
whom, it is supposed, God gave ex-
istenre when He created the stars of
the firmanent, and, who witnessed
the creation of our world. "when the
, morning stars sang together and all
the sons of God shouted for JOY" was
sent on this blessed, holy mission.
Before man had sinned, angels paid
frequent visits to man in his lonely.
beautiful home of Eden, where te
was surrounded with all tie beaSaas
of nature. They were then his as5O.
ciateS and companions. And nov at
the birth of Christ they come sgain
to render man service of unri@led
glory and beneyolence, calculated to
excite wonder and abundant praise.
By the redemption through Christ,
angels again become the believers
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of God sent to
minister to the believer in holy
things-Which ministry, doubtless,
greatly enhances their joy and hap
piness. The believer will indeed be
the companion of angeIs forever when
he reaches the beautiful. shining
fields Of the heavenly Eden. "And
the angel of the Lord said unto
them" To whom. we ask. To kings,
the royalty of earth? No. To the
philosophers and men of letters of
that day? No. TO the learned
Srrihes and Phairsees. who were in
possession of the law and prophecies?
No. TO the priests who were daily
ministering in the temple? No. But
to the lOWly shepherds. who were
Watching over their f1ocks by night
on the bleak downs of Bethlehem.
We imagine, that to while away the
time during the long and chilly hours
of night, these shepherds were sit.
ting, and doubtless talking over pas
sing events, with now and then an
allusion to the prophecies of the com
ing Messiah. which they believed
were soon to be fulfilled. At length
they saw strange light in the far
distant heavens which they miapySr'Sss.
for new star. But as they were
watching it, they saw it approaching
nearer and nearer, growing brighter
and brighter, till at last they discriea
the form of beautiful angel, and.
"were sore afraid and would have
fed" but 1.-THE angel said unto them
Fear not, for / bring you good It'd
ings of great JOY" "For unto YOU ia
born this day in the city of David. a
Saviour. which is Christ the Lord -
"And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude of the heayenlv
host" which broke the stiffness OF
the midnight air with the sweetest
music that ever rang out over the
plains of Bethlehem. Upon the ears
of the astonlshed shepherds fell these
startling words: "Glory to God in
the highest. peace on earth, good will
to men," This ever memorable an.
them finished, the first and the last
of heavens melody ever heard nv
mortal ears, the light faded awav
from the surrounding hills as the an.
gels went away into heaven, and
earth was once more left in the dark.
ness of night, thinking and knowing