The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-25
THE CHRIST DAY.

Home-bringing and home-loving and
home happiness are the bright features
of the Christ day throughout the metes
and bounds of Christendom. Callous is
the heart, and dead to all impressions
Of light and gladness, which is not
quickened to gentleness and unselfish-
ness upon the natal day of Him VINO
taught the broadcast humanity and the
most disinterested love. Had Dickens
written only of Christmas. he should
occupy a commanding place in the
affection of humanity because OF the
CHEEKY scenes he pictured and the
CHEEKY halos he cast about this day
of all days in the year The very
pathos, which at times seemed a part
of himself. when he wrote, quickened
and frightened under the light of that
day until it was nearly Invested of all
its sadness.
The tragedy of Calvary was years
after the birth scene at Bethlehem.
The Godchild had need to grow up to
mans estate and wrap about Him the
mantle of infinite Deity before He be-
came a man of sorrows acquainted
with grief. The Christ-day tells of the
virgin mother and her glad smile of
joy as she looked upon the face of her
newly born child. 1t recalls the
cherubic song of the angels that
startled the shepherds of Salem and
the effulgent star that guided the wise
men TO the manger in which He lay.
1t brings out of the past the happy
circumstances of those who were led
into the Divine presence, bringing with
them gifts of gold and frankincense
ard myth. So, too, clearer than when
first uttered, because now better under
stood, is heard after the lapse of 1000
years the heavenly promise of peace,
good will to men. Comes also the
teaching of mercy, forgiveness and
charity as substitute for the older law
of eye for eye and tooth for tooth.
When He came the dark night of
cruelty and wrong and oppression
of an endless day of love for enemies
and prayers for those that use their
neighbors despitefully.
The example of the sages who came
as gift-bearer is universally followed,
and meet is it that it should be so, be-
cause the heart that gives in love has
a sure promise of blessing from the
Lord. The inspiring motive of dona-
tives is the love that thinks no evil
against the recipient of the favor, and
love is the dominant ruler of the heart
that is good. The Christ taught moth
ing if He did not teach the Infinite
beauty of home life that is builded
upon love. The heart that loves and
is cheerful gives freely, thus COM
municating pleasure to others in the
reflection that they are not forgotten.
and happiness to the donor in that he
perceives he has communicated happi-
ness. Love is contagious, as happiness
is contagious, and blessed and thrice
blessed is that household which well
comes Christmas with ringing of bells
and singing of glad songs, with
laughter and merry voices, and that
makes memorable the day by tokens of
affection, whose value rests in the mo-
tive which prompted the giving of
them.
Did He sorrow? Not for His sins or
follies did He grieve. Did He sweat
great drops of blood in His agony?
Then was it that men might be freed
from sin and be capable of appreciat-
ing and commemorative and initiating
the infinite good of His nature. The
face that was married is now lit with
the ineffable joy that comes of mans
redemption, and from His great
throne He regards all earth's children
in love and smiles responsive to the
gladness of those homes which make
merry and bright the Christ-day,
Christmas.
WILLIAM ROSSER COBBE.