The Jamesburg record., 1901-12-14


ate ceremonies for the celebration of
the birth of Christ. Pagan kings and
princes, their satraps and subjects, did
indeed give presents, often in connec-
ton with great feasts, with various
ends in view but it is clear from the
records handed down that the gifts
were not always bribes cnor tribute to
physical power. Moral worth and beau
ty were often honored by the bestowal
of rare treasures or some symbol of
riches
The story of the visit of the wise
men to Bethlehem as told in the gospel
of Matthew carries with it evidence
that the strangers were not on a self
seeking errand. The narrative reads:
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem
of Judea in the days Of 1erod the king,
behold there came wise from the east
to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that was
born king of the Jews? For we have seen
his star in the east and have come to wor-
ship him.
When Herod the king had heard these
things. he was troubled and all Jerusalem
with him, and when he had gathered all
the chief priests and scribes of the people
together he demanded of them where
Christ should be born, and they said unto
him, In Bethlehem of J11ea for thus it is
written by the prophet And thou Beth
lehem, in the land of Judea, for out of thee
shall come a governor that shall rule my
people Israel. Then Herod, when he had
prvily called the wise men, inquired Of
them diligently what time the star ap-
peared and he sent them to Bethlehem
and said Go and search diligently for
the young child, and when ye have found
him bring me word again that may come
and worship him also. When they had
heard the king they departed, and, To- the
which they in the east went
before them till it and stood
where the young child When they
the star. they rejoiced with exceeding
great JOY, and when they into
the house they the young child with
Mary his mother, and fell down and wor-
shipped him, and when they had opened
their treasures they presented unto him
gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
David wrote in the Psalms. possibly
referring to Solomon as the type of
Christ: "The kings of Tarshish and of
the isles shall bring presents; the kings
of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts"
The reason for the tributes to Solomon
is given in Kings, where it is stated,
"And all the earth sought Solomon to
hear his wisdom, which God had put
in his heart, and they brought every
man his present, vessels of silver and
vessels of gold and garments and ar
NOR and spices. horses and mules, a
rate, year by year"
In another place David speaks of
gifts as tribute to majesty. He says:
"Vow and pay unto the Lord your God.
Let all that be roundabout him bring
presents unto him that ought to be
feared"
The pagan festivals which were be-
lieved by some to have suggested the
Christmas celebration consisted of
feasts and the giving of presents. To
celebrate the nuptials of Esther King
Ahasuerus made a great feast unto
all his provinces and gave gifts accord
ing to the state of the king" Gifts of
that nature could only bear the mean
ing of generous token of good feeling
and good will.
Long before the Christian era the
Greeks celebrated a festival in mid
winter when presents were distrib-
uted to the children in the name of the
household gods.
Whether the ceremonial gift be cost
ly or plain it bears with it a meaning
which has no relation to it's value, and
the gifts of the rich cannot have deeper
significance than the gifts of the poor.
Emerson said: Rings and other jew
els are not gifts, but the apologies for
gifts. The only gift is a part of thy
self"
OLD SANTA IN HIS MOODS.