The Irish standard., 1892-12-24
SATURDAY. DECEMBER "a, 1892.
A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A MERRY CHRISTMAS!
TaE Irish STANDARD wishes oil it's
subscribers and patrons "a Merry
Christmas" and superabundance OF
blessings at this holy season Of the year.
Christmas Day is the day OF all days in
the Christian calendar. 1t is the ami
versary of the nativity of the Saviour of
mankind. "Behold this day is born to
you Saviour who is Christ the Lord"
In spite OF infdelity, skepticism and ma
terialism the Feast of the nativity of
Jesus Christ is celebrated tomorrow
throughout the whole Christian world.
To the Catholic Church-the most an
sient of all the Christian churches--be-
longs the exclusive honor of appointing
particular day for praising and thank
inQ God that He had sent His Divine
Son into the world for it's moral and rei-
rious illumination. 1t is the influence
vi Catholicity on the Puritan mind in
she United States that has made Christ.
mas Day the great festival it is with the
people of this country. Fast Day and
Thanksgiving Day we're the great days
Of religious observance with the New
ENGLAND Puritans IN early times, but
they have long since paled into insigniti-
sance in comparison with Christmas
DAY. The anniversary of the birth OF
the Redeemer is now the one day in the
wear that seems to gather all others into
itself. and to stretch it's influence through
avsry hour of human existence. In the
Catholic Church the day is observed
with solemnity which characterizes
none Of the other festivals. All true
Catholics rejoice on this day-re]oice
With that pure merriment of heart and
soul that is befitting of all on this blessed
dav, Penetrated with the sublime sig
nificance of this holy festival their re-
;oicing is heartfelt, their anthems sim
eere. They believe that on that day was
born to Virgin of Judea Babe who
WAS God and man For nineteen CEN
turies the whole Catholic world make an
imaginary pilgrimage OF faith to the crib
A. Bethlehem to behold "Mary and
Joseph, and the Infant lying in the
manqer.' They firmly believe in the
divinity of Christ. and thousands of them
have sealed their faith with their blood
and received the crown Of martyrdom.
rhey do not believe with some Protest.
mt scots and apostles OF new-fangied re-
Regions that Christ was only human and
possessed the attributes Of wisdom like
Ruddha and Confucius. They believe
that if Christ was not God, Christianity
would be mockery and delusion, and
that atloring Him as God would be rank
idolatry. Catholics possess the priceless
aist OF Faith, and though the lncarna-
ton is mystery to them, they believe 10
It with all their hearts and souls. They
eee scintiNations Of His divinity in His
every action during life as recorded by
the Evangelists: they SEQ proof OF His
divinity in His resurrection from the
tomb. They therefore bow in alteration
before Jesus and acknowledge Him as
their God and Redeemer. On Christmas
Day they 60 to adore Him as the King
Of Ri ,gs. The great Napoleon in the
height Of his glory as conqueror was an
infidel and Mahommedan when it suited
his purpose, but after his sun had set and
he was prisoner at ST. Helena he in-
obliged in many reveries on the vanity OF
human greatness. It is recorded by his
hioprapher that on one occasion he was
IN 4 reflective mood and burst out in the
following tribute to the divine Saviour:
AAcross chasm OF eighteen hundred
Years Jesus Christ makes demand
which Is beyond all others difficult 70
..atiafy He asks that for which 9 phil hi
.osoepheer may often seek IN vain ct the the
hands 81 his friends, or father Of Joy
.hildren, OF bride Of her spouse, 90 OF e g
of hiss brot her He will have y en- 2
in1seH. He demands II uno 9 81
for His demand Y
erf,,ll "a defiance q time
V 3 81 lts
becomes = 81 sr annex