Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-12-20

N living fire sang the incarnation
as they lowered over the hills
Of Jud@a The music was resonant
with joy, From the hour that the vir.
gin laid her Babe on pillow u straw
in the manager all Christendom has
since that time made the anniversary
Of this natal day a season Of gladness,
a season Of unbounded JOY.
wreathe the laurel. Irvine the bay.
Christ was born on Christmas day.
There were special reasons for these
heavenly songs being sung hy the ce-
lestial chorus, for there was joy in
Gods great heart. joy among the first
born 0 n OF light, joy thrilling all the
heavenly empire. joy that Is vet 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 captiyes and proclaim d%eliverance
to the bruised and crushed sons Of toll.
Under the mild and genial influence
of our holy Christianity letters fall of
everywhere, until now Ia this morning
Of our new century there are few IA.
tons to be found that hold serfs.
Glorious freedom Triumphant achieve
mant Of the eross. Wherever it is lifted
chains are broken and spiritual eman
clpation 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
reigped la 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
heavenly chofisters on that eyentful
night heralded hope to a lost world.
Into the soul OF SHINING humanity
came the sweet rays of joy and peace
and b~lessedness, and. looking down
into the grave, all fear had vanished,
for sin, the sting OF death, was gone
and Cancelled by a glorious Christ the
Lord. They looked and beheld-
On the cold cheek of death smiles
roses are blending.
And beauty Immortal awakes from the
tomb,
And this is our Christmas joy that
Jesus has lifted into immortal hope the
of all our beloved friends who
In him.
1t was the music of victory. When
Jesus came. the great mass OF human
ity was In serfdom, and the dignity OIL
labor was not comprehended. Toll
was regarded as a degradation. La
borers Were 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 6eads Of sweat
upon the brow Of every SOL Of toll
He notes all injustice dome the labor
Ing classes. and only rs his spirit pre-
walls among men win the great con
lict between Tabor and capital cease.
But that day is coming ere long--the
glad Christmas Of ages
When uenr "a ran fhe vida vyorl1 Ger