Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1902-12-24
D>e>e>e~o>e>so
| Toys OF "
d CHRISTMAS |
Festival Should Be One of Glad
ness. Said the Late DR.. T.
De Witt Talmage


w living fire sang the incarnation
as they lowered over the hills
of Jud9a. The music was resonant
with joy. From the hour that the Vir-
gin laid her Babe on pillow of straw
in the manger all Christendom has
since that time made the anniversary
of this natal day season of gladness,
season of unbounded joy.
Wreathe the laurel, twne the bay,
Christ was born on Christmas day.
There were special reasons for these
heavenly songs being sung by the ce-
lestial chorus, for there was joy in
Gods great heart. joy among the first
born sons Of light, joy thrilling all the
heavenly empire, joy that is yet to be
put in the new song sung by redeemed
millions around the throne of "the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world"
1t was the music of liberty. When
these heavenly hosts sang the "Gloria
In Excelsis," the whole world was
resting under CALLING yokes of oppres
sion. Slavery was universal. Task
masters were everywhere severe to
those in servitude. Greece, Rome and
Palestine heard daily the groans of
those in bondage. The world was in
chains. But the song of the angels
rang the deathknell of bondage. The
Babe was Gods emancipation. His
distinctive mission was to set at liberty
the captives and proclaim deliverance
to the bruised and crushed sons of toll.
Under the mild and genial influence
of our holy Christianity fetters fall off
everywhere, until now in this morning
of our new century there are few ma
tions to be found that hold serfs.
Glorious freedom! Triumphant achieve
ment of the cross. Wherever it is lifted
chains are broken and spiritual eman'
cipation is proclaimed.
1t was the music of hope Until
Jesus appeared all the ancient religions
had offered only a message of despair.
No light fell upon the grave or illu-
mined the vast beyond. Darkness
reigned in supreme, sullen majesty,
and not a single star of hope gilded
the future. The grave was an eternal
prison. But the songs sung by the
night heralded hope to lost world.
Into the soul of SHINING humanity
came the sweet rays of joy and peace
and blessedness, and, looking down
into the grave, all fear had vanished,
for sin. the sting of death, was gone
and Cancelled by glorious Christ the
Lord. They looked and beheld-
II
roses are blending,
And beauty immortal awakes from the
tomb.
And this is our Christmas joy that
Jesus has lifted into immortal hope the
graves of all our beloved friends who
sleep in him.
1t was the music of victory. When
Jesus came, the great mass Of human
ity was in serfdom, and the dignity of
labor was not comprehended. Toll
was regarded as a degradation. La
borers We're despised and all forms of
manual industry held to be a disgrace.
But the Son Of Mary and Joseph came
to teach the world a new philosophy,
and by honorable industry he pro-
claimed the dignity of labor and taught
that
The honest man. tho ere sac poor,
Is king of men for a that.
Jesus counts the beads of sweat
upon the brow of every son of toll.
He notes all injustice done the labor
ing classes and only as his spirit pre-
walls among men will the great con.
flict between labor and capital cease.
But that day is coming ere long-the
glad Christmas of ages
When man to man the wide world o'er
Shall brothers be and a that.
Christian Herald.