Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1893-12-20

passes that of "Glory to Godn and
Peace on Earthp" If mortals could
perfectly weave these sentiments into
character, each life would be psalm
OF sweeter music than that sung by
these angels. This indeed is the mean
ing of the song, and of the remarkable
child, and of Christmas. Where, also,
on our green earth, is there spot more
worthy to be the birthplace of such a
babe than Bethlehem in Judea? This
quiet village hangs upon the crescent
hillside like a bird 8 nest among leaves,
and the circling hills from natural
cradle, sheltered from the winds, and
focusing the suns December rays. On
almost any winter night you can stand
upon their oriental housetops and see
the moonlight flooding this cradle val
ley with its silvery halo, and watch the
shepherds now, as of old, tending their
fiocks of sheep and goats, and, so real
is the scene, that you can almost hear
again the angel song, and fancy that
hope is dawning anew on, a weary world
as the morning dawn rises over the
Moab uplands eastward. The setting
OF these sacred hills is not unworthy of
the jewel it bore.
Now, for eighteen centuries, once Q
year, at least, men have turned their
thoughts toward the sacred village, the
sun and the manger, and, like the wise
men of the East, have laid their gifts
and homage at the feet of this newborn
babe.
Christmas day is the best of all our
holidays There is more meaning in it
than in any other we celebrate. 1t 10
cheeriest and has the most reason to be
80. 1t is by emphasis day of the heart
and of the home. Motherhood and babe
hood, and home and hope, are its touches
of nature that make the whole world
kin. What is holier than motherhood?
1t subdues the warning race of man into
brotherhood by its tender memories of
years long gone and its tenderer minis
tering of years now present. And what
is sweeter than babehoodp Artists have
painted this Christ babe as the perfec-
ton of all babe lovliness. The babe of
the Sistine Madonna expresses our
thought of what the Babe of Bethlehem
was, and who does not love babep
With babe and mother we have
home and childhood. Nazareth, like
Bethlehem, is garden among the hills,
and here was the home and childhood
of Christ Here yet Mary's fountain
flows from the rock and the women
water carriers, erect and in single file,
bear the graceful water jars upon their
shoulders The stone dwellings and
simple furniture are as of old.
1t was in manger at birth and
humble dwelling through childhood
that the divine human babe was intro
duced to life that has brought hope
and cheer to multitudes.
Thus Christmas speaks to man through
some of the dearest relationships he
sustains, and the words it speaks are
that all men should live for the glory
of God and for peace among men.
Christmas is we'll celebrated in song,
after the example of the first celebra-
ton. Music is the language of joy.
Heart joy speaks in the soft murmur-
ing music of the soul when no ear is
near; home joy finds expression in the
chorus of mingled voices around the
hearthstone; nation 3 joy breaks forth
in martial hymns or peans of liberty;
universal joys demands angelic har-
monies. Once the stars sang together
for joys and the trees of the fields clap
ped their hands, and once angelic mes
sengers sang Christmas anthem of
universal peace.
Christmas is we'll celebrated with
gifts. When Heaven gives so royalty
to men, men may well give to each
other. How rich in self forgetfulness
and how beautiful in service was that
life which Christmas celebrates. Santa
Claus with his loaded pack has stood
the criticism of the years largely be-
cause Of the spirit of giving which he
ents-Christmas gifts and Christ
mas songs,-Gilbert Frederick.