Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1897-12-30
Christmas at the Catholic Church.

The Christmas services at St. Boniface church
are on great feasts in the Catholic church. Al
ready at o'clock the church was crowded with
worshippers.. The decorations and illumina-
countless candles and globes the beautiful
flowers and fsstooning, the clouds of perfumed
incense. the music and solemn ceremonies of
feast of our Lords Nativity and inspired those
present with devotion. Following is the mu-
steal program:
stille Nacht--Silent Night, Holy Night-Ancient
Christmas Hymn.
" Kyrie -" Gloria ~. Sanctus From Bait
mans Mass in G..
mas Hymn.
"Benedictus ,'.Duo-1from Agnus Dei''-from
Battman's Mass in G.
communion at the first Mass. Before beginning
the second Mass Father Zaiser delivered ser
English sermon he said in part:
Brethren, wish you all a merry Christmas,
young and old. rich and poor, married and sin.
gle: There is m no feast in the Catholic year
to the feast OF Christmas. This happy morn.
Holy Mother Church places the Divine Child Of
Bethlehem in the arms Of every human being.
eroignty by means Of Christmas This feast
Of the
right knowledge of the Incarnation of the Son
OF God is the longest step toward the fullncss
OF revealed truth. 10 Know him Is TO know
His mother and the communion of the saints.
To know Him is to know and comprehend the
reasonableness of the Blessed Eucharist (which
is but the extension and distribution Ct the In
ciate what the Church is to mankind.namely
Emanuel" the God-with-us. To know Him
man can come to the father but by me-. And
o, how kind must be that Divine Father who
reveals his God;head enthroned in Mary's arms
il, the stable of Bethlehem! In Bethlehem there
mas
its awe and can there be an awe without fear2
But Christmas rs the solemnity or unmingled
nects a the snsd % e baby oven D though
they be necks of kings. We deem it royal
privilege to kiss the dimpled hand of feeble
babe, born of a poor and unknown mother in a
wayside stable, even though we may be the
proud possessor of millions. The chaste wei.
come Of Mary, and the innocent smile of her
little child, change in an instant she accumu-
lated filth of years of profligacy.
The prophet, referring to our Lord, says; 40,
al ye that thirst, come to the waters amp drink
those fountains first burst FORTH. Come then
again, for great as your, thirst may be, greater
tears a. he shiyers snd weeps in the rude stable
| that cold winters night. Drink the tears OF
His love; drink tears Of sorrow for your sins
| blessed promise; and smiles always follow tears
of repentance" They that sow in tears shall
reap in Joy" He will give you the strength OF
of His love and let it rule your life and elevate
your motives; it makes the rough ways smooth
and the crooked ways straight.
In return for all this our new born Lord asks
| only that we also love Him. that we show forth
the Emanuel the God,withus, in our lives
This is the keynote of the spirit of Christmas
| if the holy Christmas teason is one of drinking
dancing el! and carousing. Not if you. have let
fessed end unforgiven. The Joy of Bethlehem is
innocent.
| %, what calamity to be ad enemy of Jesus
Christ !. on n Christmas day! Q, what heart i
family such a day as this! Hasten then to oper
your, hearts to Him, all you poor sinners has
by repentance and purpose Of amendment ant
promise of love and humble confession ant
happy communion, learn the joys that only the
Christ-child con give. Brethren merry Christ
| mas to you all.