The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1894-12-29
Services at ST. Anthony.

alton Banner. 81. # .st.
Services at ST. Anthony.
AS early as 400 o'clock on Christmas
morning the large church was filed 80
that every inch OF available space was
occupied. The affairs were beautifully
and elaborately decorated, rejecting
great credit on the young ladies who had
charge. The first mass was celebrated
at 5 o'clock. After the gospel Father
O'Reilly said in part:
In the solemn midnight centuries ago
when that Child was born, who was to
bethe prince of peace, He came into the
world silently as the dawn. Little did
the world know.that an event was taking
place which would change the old order
of things, and that the reign Of love was
about to begin on earth.
Beyond the wide waste OF nineteen
centuries the christian sees today the
manger of Bethlehem, and knows that in
that manger was born the One who is the
source Of justice and religion, who was
to destroy the old pagan divinities and
begin the reign of peace. Ia that hour
mankind's deliverance began. In all the
ages of the past, whether the year was
Que OF famine, or of falling thrones. or
the upheavals of people, amidst all
chances and changes, there was one day
set apart as the great festival day l.
was kept with prayer and joy and the
voics of song. It never seems to grow
old. Each year it is celebrated with all
the fervor of youthful enthusiasm and q
first celebration. Pealing bells, joyous
carols, wreaths of flowers, friendly greet
ings and gifts of love usher in the birth
day of the expec ed of The nations. Out
on the western prairie as we'll as in the
great cathedrals and the great cen tres of
civilization, Is heard again the echo of
that &c 'oria in Exoeleis," which first
broke the stiffness of the December
night and announced peacs on earth to
mon of good will.
There is no nation but has day on
which it celebrates some hero's fame or
some great event in it's history. Christ
mas belongs tn no race or nation, but is
the great festival of all. It is the cole
bration of mans redemption,of the dawn
ing of a new era, of the spiritual SOW
ereigaty of Him who was foretold by the
ancient seer and prophet; of the TIE acher
who was to bring happiness to the man
who believes. Even those who do not
believe in His divinity admit that Christ's
golden rule in few words sums up
mans duty to man, and it obsyed would
transform the face Of the earth and send
ripple of delight and wave of SUM-
beams round the globe.
AS We recall the origin OF Christmas,
when we see Christ coming in the form
Of child and stripping Himself of all
heavens majesty, our hearts expand and
become more loving to those around US.
Gifts to friends have been deemed proper
on the day which recalls Gods greatest
gift to man. 1t has also always been a
beautiful custom to remember the poor
in the name of Him for whom there was
no place in the town OF Bethlehem and
in after years found mot where to lay
His head
Those who are able to give mach or
little should m AXE their offerings to
brighten come home where the festal sea-
son has found only wretchedness and
woe. True charity will remember some
one else besides those of the family circle.
Cold indeed must the heart be that is not
panied by the cries Of poverty everywhere
in this city. Let each one try to allevi-
ate little the misery of some Of the un.
fortunate around us. We shall feel bet
ter, and our own hearts will tell us that.
He approves who once said: "In as much
as you have done it to the least Of thy
brethren you have done it also to Me-"