The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1897-12-24
BLESSINGS OF CHRISTMAS.

Why 1t Is the Day or All Days In the
Chr istfan Calender
Precisely nineteen centuries have
passed since there fell upon the ears
Of a very youthful Jewish mother the
most gladstone sound that ever comes
to mortal-the first vail of her first
born child. She was scarcely more
than a child herself, being but about
10 years Of age; but tradition attaches
to her most excellent judgment, and a
maternal instinct intellectually strong.
Besides did she not know her boy had
been foretold by the angel? 'Thou
shalt call his name Jesus, because He
shall save His people from their sins"
She might not love Him the more be-
cause of His ilIustriOus destiny. but
her heart could not but be lifted up
in commendable pride at this reflect
ion, as she gazed for the first time into
His dear, sweet face and His tiny blue
eyes looking wonderOusly into hers.
Then the news quickly went abroad,
angels from Heaven bearing about the
tidings OF the birth of their King.
They told the ..snpherds upon the
plains of Salem anu the wise men of
the east, and all of them entered the
little caravansary Of the village Of
Bethlehem, and saw the babe and its
mother lying down in the same room
where were the camels and horses and
oxen of strangers, who had come down
to Bethlehem, in obedience to the de-
cree of the Roman emperor, to be en-
rolled for taxation. Angels sang the
praises of the newly born and new
star appeared in the sky. The wise
men brought gifts and laid them at
the feet of the mother.
This was the first Christmas and
Mary was the first person in all the
world to receive a Christmas gift, and
hers was infinitely greater in value
than all combined, that have been
since received by all the people who
7 have lived or died. Her gift, the Christ
child; she honored above all the WON
en- who have lived or died, in being
made the mother of Him who should
"be called Jesus, because He shall save
His people from their sins"
The angels song to the shepherd:
had for its burden "peace to mer
Of good will" One could scarcely
think of a Christmas that is Other
than gladstone and joyous The clouds
may be thick overhead, while in north
countries the earth may have a sheet
of snow, and in the southlands there
may be thunder and rain. But there
are warmth, sunlight and gladness il
the heart-the best place in all the
world for them. In the heart bird:
sing carol. songs of joy; in the heart
flowers bloom, leaves are out upon the
trees and velvety grass covers the
hills.
Oh, the Christmas tide-Christa
birthday-day of all days IN the calen
der. How hearts glow on this day and
warm each to the other How strifei
/ and bitternesses end, and all cares
from without and from within, take OF
quick wings and fly far way. How
self Is swallowed IN love for thos'
about one, and all become, like tn,
Magi who visited Jesus, bearers o
Rifts-glad heart gifts that make radi
ant the cheeks OF donors as well a!
recipients.
! Oh, the Christ day Would that the
cheer Of the family board, the joyous
/ hOme-bringing and the glad ness of tn,
I heart might be in every day of thu
] year. That. indeed, would be bring
/ ing down of the New JerU salem from
| Heaven to earth; for then there would
/ be no more sorrow or tears. and wick
| enness and sin would end IN the land
WILLIAM ROSSIzR COBBE.
The bill introduced in congress pro