Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1902-12-12
Joys OF X
d CHRISTMAS
Festival Should Be One Of Glad !
ness, Said the Late DR.. +.
De Witt TalmaSe

OF Judaea. 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 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 by the &C.
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"
these heavenly hosts sang the "Gloria
In Excelsis,"' the whole world was
resting under CALLING Jokes 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 letters fall off
everywhere, until now in this morning
Of new century there are few ma
tons 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
heavenly choristers OF that eventful
u46uL ACt0lUCu AOPC ~ u OoI
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 q glorious Christ the
Lord. They looked and beheld-
| On the cold cheek of death smiles and
| roses are blending,
And beauty immortal awakes from he
| 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 vas in serfdom, and the dignity OF
labor was not comprehended. To:!
was regarded as a degradation. IL
borers We're despised and all forms q
manual industry held to be a dis:rAt".
! But the Son of Mary and Joseph came
to teach the world a new philosophy
and by honorable industry he Fro
claimed the dig nity of labor and taught
that .
The honest man, tho ere sac poor.
Is king of men for a that.
Jesus counts the beads of sw;"t
upon the brow Of every son Of toll.
He notes all injustice done the lal;cr-
ing classes, and only as his spirit pre-
walls among men will the great co.:
fict between labor and capital cease.
But that day is coming ere lon:;-;hc
glad Christmas of ages
When man to man the wide world DER
Shall brothers be and a. that.
Christian Herald.