The record-union., 1896-12-28

the only begotten Son from God. the
Father; second, the birth of Jesus
Christ from Mary, the Virgin: third,
the divine and spiritual birth of Jesus
IN the hearts of all his people" Could
You celebrate the birth of Jesus in your
own heart at Christmas time? Without
this Christmas was a failure and lie
will be failure When Christ came in
Bethlehem a world had to be made
fit dwelling place for Righteousness and
peace.
Man had failed in it and sunken down
in corruption. Even God seemed to
have failed, for through the work of law
and prophets only a generation Of life
less moralists had been made The
whole world had gone down into its
dreariest spiritual winter and there was
no germs of real life to be seen any
where. Then a little child was born
in a stable, Graded in a manger, Of
poor parents and obscure country, and
he was to work vast changes in the
worlds history. In weakness and fee
bleneSS there started a new life of in
finite power. Not like other religions
did Christianity take its start from
what is great and impressive, but from
child's birthplace this was its first
shrine to which the wise and simple
shepherde were led by heavenly mes
sengers.
So God has ever worked. So his
church has done it's greatest work.
Some rude, but loving heart, becomes
the birthplace Of the divinest birth, and
soon power from on high shines forth
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kindly thought shapes itself into works
of Christlike love, and again earth is
made radiant with the tender light Of
heaven, reflected from the faces of those
who give and those who get a blessing.
Glorious birthday of Christ in Beth
lehem, Glorious birthday of Christ in
the heart. Man must celebrate them
both to make the joy complete, for,
Tho Christ in Bethlehem thousand
times were born,
And not in US. SO are we lost forever
more"
Having the Christ in Bethlehem, we
leave the Christmas joys and enter the
| new year. What shall we say of our
visit TO Bethlehem? What confession
shall we make of Christ this coming
new year? Shall we witness a good
confession? See that festive train on
the way to Jerusalem. A great many
take part in it, just ike the multitude
that celebrate Christmas. Some join
in praise, some spread garments on the
way, some scatter branches ON the
road. a joyous, happy crowd, and they
| give the Lord a royal welcome.
| But what became of it all? In a lit
| tie they cry Cruelty Him. What be
comes of all this enthusiasm? These
confessed Christ by welcoming Him,
but it was only a passing wave, a spurt-
ing flame. They had no heart commu-
nion with Him that lasted
Are our Christmas praises and con-
| fessiOns of Christ of this sort? Is our
| confession of Him to die out with the
fuss and glitter of the season? When
the church doors have closed and the
| last strains of Christmas music died
away on the still air or become mixed
with the louder noise of the street,
shall we cruelty our Lord by forget
| ting Him?
| Let us do better than this pilgrim
| band. Let our journey with Him
| through the new year be one of faith
| fulness, making all other engagements
| secondary to those with our Lord The
Lord does not want those that cry:
| Lord, Lord" He wants earnest heart
| confessors, firm adherents. Men and
| women whose hearts always beat
warmly for Christ and his cause. That
when Christ asks: Lowest thou Me?"
our ready reply will be: Yea, Lord,
| Thou knowest that l love Thee" Let US
| listen to this question hourly, daily, all
! through the coming year; in the quiet
| hours, as in the hours of busy work; in
the State, in the church, at home-every
| where! And always reply, Yea,
! Thou knoWest that / love Thee
| Go away from the birthday joys, but
| keep always the life of the child. Then
| Will malice and hatred and envy not be
| found in you. but sweet Christian love
modelled after Him who has loved US 50
much. Peace on earth" the angels
! sung. Peace on earth will the Chris
tians ever sing all through this new
year. And then our hearts will be
strong to do his will, and we shall strive
to abide on the lofty nights of Christian
! love and Gods grace Will flow into US
pure as the crystal waters of the river
| of life.
| To Cure Cold in One Day