The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-12-17
BLESSINGS OF CHRISTMAS
Why Is It the Day of All Days in the
Christian Calendar.

Christian Calendar.
Precisely nineteen centuries have
passed since here fell upon the ears
OF Il very youthful Jewish mother the
most gladstone S0und that ever comes
To moital-thc first wall Of he first.
born child She was scarcely more
than Il child herself. being but almut
16 years Of age; but tradition attaches
To her more excellent judgment. and a
maternal instinct incidentally strong.
Besides. did she not know her boy had
been flrct0ld by the angel? "ThOu
shalt call His name Jesus, because He
shalt save His people from their sins
She might not love Him the more be-
cause of His illuStrious destiny, but
her heart could not be but lifted up
in conmcndable pride at this reiler-
tion, as she gazed for the first time
into His dear, sweet face and His tiny
blue eyes looked wondcringly into
hers. Then the news went quickly
abroad, angels from Heaven bearing
about the tidings Of the birth of their
King. They told the shepherds upon
the plains of Salem and the wise men
Of the East and all of them entered
he little caravansary Of the village Of
Bethlehem. and saw the babe and its
mother lying down in the same room
where were the cumels and horses and
oxen OF strangers, who had come up
to Jerusalem to he taxed. Angels
sang the praises Of the newly born and
i new star appeared in the sky. The
wise men brought gifts and laid them
at the feet OF thc mother.
This was the fist Christmas and
Mary was the first person in all the
world to receive Christmas gift, and
hers was infinitely greater in value
than all combined, that have been
since received by all the people who
have lived or died. Her gift, the
Christ child; she hOnorcd above all he
women wllo have lived or died, in be-
ing made the mother OF Him who
should "bc called Jesus. because lie
shall save His people from their sins. :"
The angel song tn the shepherds had
for its burden ''pcacc to men Of good
will" One could scarcely think of II
Christmas that Is other than glad
some and joyous. The clouds may be
thick overhead, while in north c0un-
tries the earth may have Il sheet of
snow, and in the souihlands there
may be thunder and rain. But
there are warmth, sunlight and glad.
ness in the hcart-thc best place in
all the world for them. In the heart
birds sing carol songs OF joy; in the
heart flowers bloom, leaves arc out
upon the trees and vclvcty grass COW
ers the hills.
o, the Christmas tidc-Clrist's
birthday, day Of all days In the Cal.
cndar. How hearts glow on this day
and warm each to the other. How
strifcs and bttcrncsses end, and all
cares, from without and from within,
take on quick wings and fly FAR away
How self is swallowed in love for those
about one, and all become, like the
Magi who visited Jesus, bearers of
gifts-glad.heart gifts that make rad.
liant the cheeks OF donors as we'll as
recipients.
O, the Christ day. Would that the
cheer Of the family board, the joyous
homc-bringing and the gladncss OF
the heart might be In every day OF the
year. That, indeed, would be u bring.
ing down OF the New Jerusalem from
Heaven to earth; for then there would
be no more sorrow or tears, and wick.
cdncss aud sin would end In the land.
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The German Emperor ascribes his