The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-12-28
OLE Wessenger.


Christianity has agreed to celebrate
the birth of the Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, the Son of God. on 18th Decem-
her. While the best learning feels sure
that the Christ was bon in another
part of the year-possibly April or May
long ago ii was agreed to celebrate
the 18th December, and by common con-
sent it is retained by Christendom- 1t
is a JOYOUS, blessed time and has been
Well called "Children's Day" The
ScripturaI record OF h birth of Jesus
is most interesting and precious. Luke
gives this 1--WE take only a part):
And 10 the angel of the Lord came
upon them, and the glory of n Lord
shOne round about them: and they were
sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them. Fear
not: for behold, I bring you good It'd
ings Of joy, which shall be to all peo-
Pile
For INTO you is born his day in the
city Of David a Saviour. which is
Christ the Lord.
And suddenly there was with the an
gel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, n saying.
Glory to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men,"
Christmas should be the Christians
Day, and all mankind should observe
it reverently, soberly. faithfully. be-
lovingly. Unfortunately it has been
most seriously perverted. Instead of
its being a time of rejoicing because of
the glorious revelation of salvation
through the sacrifcial death OF 1.-The
Son born and the child given" it is
completely secularized. and perverted
into a Pagan day. a time of debauch-
err and drunkenness. OF vice and i'm
morality. 1t is not celebrated as the
most sacred and blessed of all days but
as a day of abuse. of wassail and waste.
II has to a very great extent lost its
original s~ignificancy and beauty of at
traction in the thoroughly worldly as
pecc given to it by the changes wrought
by time. 1t is a delightful season if
wisely, temporarily observed. 1t is a
time of good fellowship and courtesies,
of gracious Fluctuations and smiles. 1t
brings out much that is good in fallen
or regenerated human nature, and
makes in a certain sense "the whole
WITH MIL. II . IHe udy 1OT ItIlSIn-
bering h necessities. the sufferings of
the poor. 1t is time for beneficence,
for sweet ~companionship and for active
benevolence. If Christianity goes by
and you fail to bring joy to some child
~expectant heart. and to carry the sun
shine of charity into some darkened
home, it will have passed without the
fu1fillment of duty. "1t IS more blessed
to give tina nto receive" say the Scrip
lures. 1t is a time of mercy as we'll as
of b~enevolence and gifts. 1t is time fol-
the manifestation of mercy, (which
droppeth. as the gentle rain from
heaven upon the place beneath" When
Christ truly reigns IN the soul the
works of mercy, of love, of sympathy
will find ready expression. and every
well meant act of kindness-if it be but
the giving to the thirsty. but one drink
of water-wiH be reactionary. will bring
gladness to the heart. and as the great
est of all poets said of 1.-THE little can
die" throwing its beams:
- shine a good deed in a naughty
world"
Let this Christmas be tempered with
discretion and due sense of propriety
and chastity and moderation. May it
bring peace and comfort to many a
sorrowing heart. May it be a joyful
day to those who have not been sorely
bereaved. May Gods people be able to
rejoice in the blessed hope of a blessed
life beyond this sad vale of tears"
May they be able to join in the song
OF the angels-"Glory to God, on high,
and on earth peace. good will to men,"
The Messenger sends cordial greet
ing to all. May the hearts of all be at
peace and full of JOY u~nspeakable.
May the dear little children. the hope
of the world, be blest forever more,
and may their joy be complete. May
Santa Claus visit every home without
~partiality, and may the gifts be free
handed and full.