The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-12-26
REASON FOR CHRISTMAS JOY
SERMON BY REY. DIR. Baker IN
TRINITY p. T.. CHURCH.

the Foundation OF Christmas joy
Brought At New Dignity and Glory
Into Human life.
The Feast of the Nativity was cele-
brated yesterday morning in Trinity P.
f.. church, the following service being
rendered:
rocesslonal-Hymn so ........... Smart
[ Nenite-Chant ............... Macfarren
TIE Deum in A...................M Martin
Jubilate in B fiat. Stanford
Introit--Adeste Fidels, Hymn 49,.
................ Arranged by NoVello
Kyrie in b flat. .Agutter
! Gloria Tibi in 3 fiat. .Agutter
Hymn "a OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. WINS
| Olteftory ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. Tours
Sanctus from Messe Solennelle)....
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. Gounod
Agnus Del in 3 fiat. ..AGutter
Gloria in Excelsis.. ..Old Chant
Recessional-Hymn 81 -, ,Merdelssohn
The sermon delivered during the ser
vice was by Rev. Frank Woods Baker,
rector of Trinity church, the subject be-
Ing THE Reason for Christmas joys"
Or. Baker chose the following texts:
St Luke H., 11-"Unto you IS born this
day in the City of David a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord
St, Matthew Is, part t6-"Thou art
the Christ, the Son Of the Living Cod"
Rev. DR.. Baker spoke as follows: We
are brought once more to the gladness
of Christmas day. With the shepherds
watching over their flock by night we
hear the angels message of good tidings
for all people. We hear the heavenly
chorus breaking the silence of the night
with that shout of praise which has
sounded down all the ages since Glory
to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, goodwill toward men.
Never has any event caused such
universal or long continued gladness as
the birth of Christ. / want to dwell up
on this fact first Of all. 1t Is highly
significant, There are many events
that give joy. There is that day in our
own life when we first awake to the
realization of our power; or that day
when, almost discouraged, there came
to us suddenly great opportunity and
DOuIGu IT'S TlCIlIpSS at tut lttl, vi tllhl
day to which we trace the beginning of
some enrolling friendship; or on a GER
tain day God gave us the custody of a
most precious soul. These days are al
ways days of gladness to us personally.
I'VE look upon our secular calendars
and see marked the birthdays of the
men who have made history--George
Washington Napoleon, Savonarola
Luther and the like. Our hearts thrill
upon those days in proportion to our
of the greatness of the man
for whom they stand. We turn to the
church calendar and there we see in
orders of brlliancy the names
of those saints who have formed the |
and pillars Of the /
Temple of God. If we are keen to APP /.
preciate their spiritual lives we rejoice !
on the days which stand for them.
But how different is the JOY that fills
the hearts of men on Christmas, What |
is there in the event we celebrate to-
day to make us so much rejoice? Why |
these bursts of gladness? Why so much
brightness and cheer in our homes to-
lay? Why do we exchange presents in
token of affectionate regard?
ut is not a sufficient answer to say
that it is the result Of custom. In some
cases 1t may be mere formality-there
may be nothing left but the form. But
there never has been a custom, a form,
out once teemed with life. The majes-
tic form of some dead oak stands In the
'orest. 1t is nothing now but a form.
Yet once the sap flowed through all its
limbs, and its leaves rustling in the
breeze were the signs of Its life. So
With every form or custom. 1t has had
is history, and though now 1t may be
nothing but form, at one time it ex-
pressed the life and spirit that gave it
birth.
But who will say as he looks into
he bright faces of the children to-day
and observes the keen pleasure with
which they watch the opening Of the
presents their own hands have made,
II their own money bought for mother.
'ather, brother or slster--who will say
hat Christmas and It's observances are
mere forms, that they are no longer the
Expression of deep affection and holy
oy?
mo; the universal observance among
civilized people of Christmas makes 1t
clear that the event that gave
t birth that the fact for which it sands,
S one extraordinary and unique. The
birth of any man, even though he be
he gentle, loving Jesus could not, if we
cad history Alright, have build up the
oy of Christmas. 1T is more profound
nd deep than the JOY over the birth Of 4
my fellow man. 1t touches and eX-
,resses the deepest emotions of which
nan is capable. 1t expresses all the
ignity and divinity that IS in us.
What is the fact, then, for which to-
ay stands? What is the sublime source
f our Christmas joy? 1t Is that which
ur texts tell uSit Is the Joy that
ONES to US as result of the fact which
he angel announced to the shepherds
f old, Unto you is born this day in the {
ity of David Saviour, which is Christ |
he Lord 1t is because Jesus, who was {
orn to-day, was the Christ, the Son of
ne Living God 1t is because God was {
lcarnated in Christ. 1t is because when s
Iod in Christ became man He did not {
mpty Himself of His GodhOod, but t
My for the time laid aside the outward q
gns and splendor of it, that He might I
OF dazzle our sight and comprehension '
y it's brilliancy; in order that coming k
own to the plain of our comprehension, +
d loving father would to an earthly j