The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-18

infant IN the manager
may be taken as ii symbo, of appropi-
ate ceremonies for the celebration of
the birth of Christ. Pagan kings and
princes. their satraps and subjects. did
indeed give presents, often in cOnner
ton with great fcaSts. with various
ends in view. but it is clear from the
records handed down that the gifts
were not always brides nor tribute to
physical power. Moral worth and beau.
ty were often honorcd by the bcstowAi
! of rare treasures or some sy.lbOl 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 self
seeking Grand The narrative reads:
Now when Jesus born in Bethlehem
of Judra in the days of Hcrod the king,
behold. there came wise men from the east
TO Jerusalem, saying. Where is he that was
born king u the Jews? For we have seen
his in the east and have come to wor-
slip linn
when llcrod the king had heard thcse
things. he troubled and Ill lerlsalcm
with him, aud when he had gathered all
the th1rt priests ana scribe, OF tue t'to'te
together he demanded Of them where
Christ should he born, and they said unto
him. In i',tlehem OF iudIa. Tor tlnis it is
written 10y the prophet, And thou Beth
lchcm. in the land of ,u,1a, Tor ont OF thee
shall come governor that shall rule my
people Israel Then lerod. when he had
pri\ill called the wise men, inquired of
them diligently what time the star APP
peaicd. and he them to Bethlehem
and said. Go and search diligently for
the Young thild. and when We have found
him bring ms word again that may come
aud worship him also When they had
heard the king they departed, and. 10, the
star which they in thr east went
before them till it aLl stood over
where the young child was. When they
saw the star they rcjoiccd with exceeding
great Joy, and when they were come into
. the house ,hcy saw the young child With
Mary his mother and fell down and wor'
SHIPPED HIM and when they hal opened
their treasures they presented unto him
gifts. gold and lranhinccnsc and myrrh.
David wrote in the Psalms. possib'
referring to solomon as the type G
Christ "Thc kings of Tarshish and q
the isles shall bring presents; the king
of ShChu and Scba shall Offer gifts.
The rcaSon for the tributes to SD!omo
is Given in Kings. where it is statrt
"Aud all the earth sought Solomon t
hear his wisdom. which God had pu
in his heart, and they brought ever
man his present, vessels of silver am
vessels of gold and garments and N
NOR and spices, horses ana mules,
rate. year Ivy year.
In another place David speaks 0
gifts as tribute to majesty, He says
"Now ana pay unto the Lord your Coo
Let all that he roundabout him brin
presents unto him that ought to b
feared
The pagan festivals which were be
% lievcd by some to have suggested tn
Il Christmas celebration consisted O
Ia feasts and the giving Of presents. L
!. celebrate the nuptials of Esther Kin
# Ahasucrus made Il great feast unit
70 all his provinces and gave gifts accord
a ing TO the state of the king" Gifts Q
h that nature could only bear the meal
!. ing Of generous token of good feelin
and good will.
r Long before the Christian era til
o. Greeks celebrated a festival in mi(
Il winter when presents were distril
uted to the children in the name of til
10 household gods.
% Whether the ceremonial gift be cos
d ly or plain it bears with it meanin
which has no relation to it's value. an
a. the gifts of the rich cannot have deept
m significance than the gifts of the poo
"a Emerson said: rings and other jew
$ els are not gifts, but the apologies II
gifts. The only gift is Il part OF tn
self"