The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-26

as were the deacons attending on him.
Father Byrnes was sub-deacon, Father
Hannigan deacon, Fathers Dempsey and
Ramon assistant deacons, Father Multi
gan master of ceremonies and Very Rev.
j. j. Prendergast assistant priest. There
was quite large number Of altar-boys in
white SUPPLIES and purple soutanes
faced with crimson in attendance. So
the sanctuary presented really beautiful
sight. The pillars and walls were Iiber-
ally covered with evergreens, which formed
an effective background for the Write
marble altar and the clusters of blazing
candles. Far out in front on either side
was a massive candelabrum that held
py ramid of Pickering flames, and then,
deeper set in the sanctuary, were many
punches of evergreens ana Candelabra,
while the altar itself was outlined with
scarlet fairy" lamps, Christmas berries,
red blossoms and holly leaves.
Rev. Peter G. Yorke preached sermon
on Christmas that was eloquent and full
OF the spirit OF peace on earth. He said:
To-day we celebrate the birth OF our Lord in
Bethlehem OF Judea. The Savior of the world
is Graded in @ manger. He is nursed by q
simple village maiden. The shepherds from
the fields do honor unto him in his humble
abode.
The piety of the Christian world has made
this day one of the great festivals of the year.
| AS the household rejoices at the birth OF son
u
born-unto US a Son is given. Come, let us
| praise the Lord with joy-let us joyfully sing
unto God, our Savior. Let us come before his
presence with thanksgiving-let US be glad
unto him in psalms.
There is danger, my dear brethren, that in
| the domestic joy with which we greet this day
we may lose sight of the cause and justifca-
ton Off ALL 1t is no mere thanksgiving day,
| no mere festival of home. The reason of it is
to be found in the glorious opening words OF
the Epistle to the Hebrews: "God, who al
| md In nj
old to the Father by the prophets, hath In these
last days spoken unto us by his Son."
This, then, is the reason OF Christmas. The
| child who lies in the manger is God. Light oil
light, very God of very God, begotten, not made
consubstantial with the Father, who. for Us
men and for our salvation, came down from
heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost
OF the Virgin Mary, and was made flesh.
AS we stand round the manger let not oul
eyes be holden by the things of sense. Never
does the preface OF the mass sing to US more
| pressing invitation. Lift up your hearts. To
gether with the beloved disciple let us soal
4 even to the throne of God. st. Johns symbo
is the eagle and with the eagle let us scrutinizs
the very Godhead. His gospel tells US who thai
babe is. Gin the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God and the Word was God
All things were made by him and without him
! was made nothing that was made; and the
/ word was made flesh and dwelt among u.s."
Christ came on earth for two purposes-tG
make atonement to the offended Justice of hi
Father and to show us the way to heaven. Tht
atonement has been made; the personal ant
peculiar interest for each of us to walk N God.
way. No longer does he force us by his un
! sheathed sword; he draws us now by love
Love is stronger than death, more powerful
than hell; and the significance of this day i.
that it is the proclamation of the law of love-
| the law of gratitude.
For a time terror may keep us in the RICH
way. The only real force which can keep u.
always with God and make us for God is love
| is gratitude. 30
Surely we have many reasons for thankful
ness. God has given US a land flowing with
| milk and honey. We are free in civil aud reli
gious affairs, He has drawn us into his owr
church; he has admitted us into the. inner
sanctuary, near the blessed babe, by whom the
virgin mother watches. His hands are lifted
up to us appealingly for love. We have human
| hearts in us. We cannot refuse it when this
| day we come to adore the Lord and to be g, ad
before him in songs and psalms of JOY.
The music was made a noteworthy feat.
IRE of the celebration, and certainly out
did previous efforts of the singers and
musicians for Chris tmas. The organ was
/ supported by full orchestra and the
choir augmented by several good solo