Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1902-12-23
TOYS OF y
d CHRISTMAS
Festival Should Be One Of Glad
ness, Said the Late DR.. 7.
De Witt Talmase
- ONGS greeted the birth of our
- Saviour. Angelic tongues with
living fire sang the incarnation
--.--i --.... IL. LII.

Of JudRa. The music was resonant
with joy. From the hour that the Nir-
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,
a season Of unbounded joy.
Wreathe the laurel twine 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 pew song sung by redeemed
millions around the throne OF the
Lamb slain from the foundation of the
world"
II WAS the music of liberty. When
these heavenly hosts sang the GLORIA
In Eycelsis." the whole world was
resting under CALLING yokes OF opprcs-
sion. Slavery WAS universal. lask-
masters were everywhere severe 10
those in servitude. Greece. Rome ana
Palestine heard daily the groans of
those in bondage. The world was i'll
chains. But the SONG of the angels
rang the dcathknell of bondage. The
Babe was Gods emancipation. MS
distinctive mission was 10 set III liberty
the captives and proclaim deiverance
TO the bruised and crushed sons of toll.
Under the mild and genial influence
of our holy Christianity fctters fall OIL
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 il 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 Il message OF despair.
No light fell upon the grave or illu-
mined the vast beyond. Darkness
reigned in supreme. sullen majesty,
and not single star Of hope gi!ded
the future. The grave was an eternal
prison. But the songs sung by the
heavenly choristerS on that eventful
night heralded hope TO a lost world.
Into the soul Of SHINING humanity
came the sweet rays of JOY ana peace
and blesscdncss. and. looking down
into the grave. all fear had vanished.
for sin. the sting OF death. WAS zone
and Cancelled by II glorious Christ the
Lord. They looked and beheld-
On the cold cheek of death smiles and
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 degradation. La
borers were deSpsed and all forms of
manual industry held TO be disgrace.
But the Son of Mary and Joseph came
to teach the world Il 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 DER
Shall brothers be and a that.
Christian Herald.