The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1898-12-23
THE CHRISTMAS SEASON.


Again has come round that season
wherein the whole Christian world does
homage at the manger in Bethlehem.
What wonderful thing it is, this con-
tinued and ever increasing observance of
Christmasl Think of it for moment.
Nearly nineteen centuries ago Babe
was born in the stable of an inn, in a
little village, in the south of Palestine.
The great world knew no more of it than
of any other humble birth among the
peasant people of the time. But to a
company of shepherds keeping the night
watches with their hocks, there came the
the glad message which has ever since
been the joy of the world, Unto to you
is born this day in the City of David, a
Saviour. which is Christ the Lord. !"
Yes, the world was lost and needed a
Saviour. lost in its own greed and pride
and selfishness and sin, and wherever the
message of the Christ-child has gone
through all these long centuries there
have been found sssweeter manners" and
'spurer lives" there has come liberty
to the captives, and the opening of the
prison TO them that are bound"
He who thinks the world is growing
worse, either does not know how bad it
used to be, or fails to see the many signs
of brighter and a better day. which is
dawning more and more clearly through
out the nations of the earth. War,
strife, conflict have not ceased their dis
cordant notes amid the ever increasing
volume of praise and prayer which has
gone up from the hearts and lips of men
during the past year. But never was a
war waged with nobler purpose than
that through which this nation has
! passed during the year drawing to
close. Admiral Dewey's message, when
he won the great victory at Manila. Il
am caring for the enemy's wounded, -
such message as would not have been
dreamt of in what we often call 'sthe
good old times, shows the growth of
the Christian spirit even in the darkest
moments and amid the dread scenes and
incidents of war itself.
Yes, the world is growing better.
More and more may it be truly said that
the. "happy bells" that ''ring across the
snow"
Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic SANDER and the spite;
Ring in the love OF truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.
And it is all due to the spread of the
Christmas message, peace on earth and
good will to men," Keep. then. your
Christmas festival with truly happy
heart; Build up the fire in the old fire.
place till it roars and crackles with a
warm welcome for all your friends and
neighbors, DO something practical for
the man who needs your help. whoever
he may be. Let your giving and receiv-
ing of ''Christmas presents" be great
deal more than the exchange of articles
of merchandise, prompted by the conven-
tional custom of the season. Better give
nothing at all, unless the good will of a
true and honest heart goes with the gift.
It was He who came into the world on
the first Christmas morning, who once
cried out when He looked upon the ma
terialism and selfshness of His own age,
-materialism and selfshness which
thrust themselves into the very temple
Of God Make not My Fathers house
house of merchandise" And we may
well hear His voice to-day warning us
not to turn our sacred festival into a
commercial season for pushing the wares
of tradesmen and for discharging social
obligations according toan approved rule.
Think rather of the real import of the
day. Take new heart in the thought Of
all that Christmas means to the world
and of all that it means to you. Do not
forget the inner substance in the out
ward form. Hang up your Christmas
wreaths, fill the children's stockings. let
the sweetest music be heard in your
churches. and let old and young rejoice
around well laden board. spread with
all the bounties of fruitful year. But
above all, LET Christmas mean to every
one of us new resolve for nobler living in
the days to come. Let the Gospel of the
Incarnation mean more in our individual
lives. Let the ssmanliness of Christ
make us stronger and Drawer in this
world which calls for all the service
which true men can render. Let the
life of Him who was born on the first
Christmas be more and more the life
that we seek to live, and tbenethe Christ
mas season will not have been passed in
vain.
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