Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-25
Christmas

There Is a strange. beautiful won
derful and a mysterious spell about TINS
season. Throughout Christendom there
4, dancing in the eye. a general thiob
of the pulse. a glow in the countenance
and, JOYFUL springiness in the step that
no other season can produce: no other
festival approach. As at no other time
all hearts are filed with kindness, all
souls are alive with love. Altogether II
j. Irresistible and the unlucly one that
insists on being miserable and moody
is himself presently melted. or his iciness
clitters with the light that shines around
him. Mayhap. ne finds himself an object
Of the tenderest and most considerable
love There is no place or person. nothing
hid from the heat Of Christmas. The
light Of its joyous hope enters every
where. In the very darkest corner Of
the world the thought of Christmas ami
mates and Quickens the saddest, dreariest
heart. II IT cannot rejoice with
n Joy Of its own, II will beat quicker with
the sweetest memories. Even those who
have little in the past 10 recall some
bow catch the spirit. and glow with
the cheerful and happy imaginations that
are Identified with and hallow the word:
that arise into life at the sound and glad
dsning thrill Of Christmas.
We were made for happiness. Christmas
joys are natural and the type OF the
very best our souls were adapted to
them The dew Of their birth IS from the
It D.. Of 70 no
freshness OF their love and kindness
makes every heart swell and. bud and
blossom and clothe itself with beauty and
brightness of the sort Of the kingdom OF
Heaven.
IL was pitiful dimness that overspread
our world when the first great sin was
committed. There was cast veil and
covering over all flesh; a stOniness was
made 10 harden all within, and life was
saturated with bitter dew5. Nevertheless
,ssys the promse) the dimness shall not
De such as It was in orr vexation. The
veil or the covering shall be removed.
the stony heart shall be taken away,
and heart of flesh have its place But,
dearest OF all. there shall be no more
sorrow. The tears shall be wiped away
from all faces. For unto us a Child is
born: unto us Son is given and ali
the world shall see His light and glory
and shall rejoice in His holy, life-gving
influence And He shall be called the
wonderful, the counsellor. the mighty
God. the Everlasting Father the Prince
Of Peace: Emmanuel God with us
Christmas is the bright sign and testi-
mony OF the fuhlment Of all this; and
The prayer Of the Church Of all ages is
being fulfilled The Child has grown to
manhood. and His kingdom possesses the
earth. In very truth. the Lord does
bless and keep His people The Lord has
made His face TO shine upon US. and been
merciful unto MS. the Lord has lifted up
the light of His countenance upon Us
and given US peace The Word. made
flesh. dwelleth among as and will abide
forever. The bright. The benign the
JOYOUS. the healing. the peaceful. the pure
the holy influence Of the spirit of JOY
and gIadness and love that overhangG all
Christendom to-day was figured by the
bright cloud over the tabernacle Ia the
wilderness. IL is a cleaning cloud OF
happiness 10 the whole believing world
hut dearer ana greater than ali tnis
season and festival is most happy. as the
baby figure OF the coming kingdom: "a
living picture OF the happy day when TIE
Veil OF Gods temple shall be rent IN
vain. and disclose 10 us our loved anu
lost, rejoicing In robes Of righteousness.
perfected In glory. N the presehce Of God
Fun OF It's sweetest hopes and inspired
with lis profoundest meaning, may we
all enjoy merry Christmas