The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-12-26
1902 DECEMBER 1902
CHRISTMAS.


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CHRISTMAS.
The Day of days, which has been
looked forward to with anticipations
of pleasure, by the old and the young
alike, has at last arrived and Christ
mas is a realized fact. To all Of us
it means a period when we are sup
posed to cast of, the ordinary hum
drum affairs Of everyday life andjoin
in celebrating this holiday Itmarks
the birth Of our blessed Saviour, who
gave his mortal life as an atonement
for this shining world, and therefore
stands high i'll the church calendar as
a period ofan especially sacred char
acter. Since Adam, at the solicita-
ton of Eve, had eaten the forbidden
fruit, mankind has come into this
world branded with Il sinful nature,
which can only be atoned for by sacri-
flee. Our Saviour, while on earth,
lead a life which was given to us as
an example, and his early death,
scarcely before manhood's prime, was
an atonement for the sin of all man
kind. interviewer with every form
of Christianity is the belief of
saviour Whether Mohammed, Jew
or Christian, the fact is we'll rccog-
nized that without such a character,
the entire race would be forever lost
and eternity would hold forth only
continual punishment for the mani
fold transgressions, which are COM
mitted while we are here on earth.
The beauty Of Christ's life is inter
woven with the many sacrifices which
seem to be the principal mission of
his earthly life, and after all there can
be no more exquisite pleasure than
that derived in doing good for others
especially when it is done at some
cost to ourselves. 1t has been truly
said that it is much more pleasant to
give than to receive, and there is no
one of us who has not realized the
truism of this saving. At Christmas,
a different spirit seems to be imbued
within US and our thoughts are not
for self so much as for those who are
near and dear to us. 1t is not the
intrinsic value of the gift, but the
cost that it entails that gives the
pleasure. We throw self aside and
our only thought is how we can
make others happy. Such is true
Christianity and draws us closer to-
gether as one body, not in pursuit of
individual happiness, but rather in
seeing how we can brighten each
others lives.
The past year has brought its sor-
rows and its joys, and it is the earn
est hope Of the writer that with
everyone the former have been largely
outweighed by the latter. To some,
prosperity has extended its lavish
hand; to many, comfort has been
brought, while on some few, adversely
has pressed its unwelcome hand. 1t
is not argued that any one has reach
ed his cherished goal, for such is not
to be expected nor was it ever in
tended that any human being should
have every ambition gratihed. We
must accept our lot, whatever it may
be, in the best possible manner, and
enter into the new year with the
resolution that we will strive
harder than before to accomplish our
cherished aims. Life at its best, is
only a mere Transformation by which
the rough ashlar of this world is
chiseled down to become 4 perfect ash
lar in that world which is to come
This transformation in some cases is
more easily accomplished than in
others. The ordinary rock may be
harder, the human nature may be
more stubborn and thereby resist
the steel which is cutting off the rough
edges, but nevertheless the work goes
on. Sometimes we are apt to set in
judgment on our fellow creature, and,
bv contrast, consider how much near
er perfection we may be, but it is we'll
to remember that no one human be-
ing can rightly judge ofthe character
of his fellow man. This is reserved
for Higher Power from whom no
secrets are hid"
So let US enter into the occasion
with full spirit and do allthat we can
to make the season a memorable one,
forgetting our enemies and only doing
all the good that we can. Remember
the example that has been set for us
and in a humble manner try to EMU
late the same, SO that when that
final day ofjudgmcnt shall come, we
will be the better prepared to meetit
by having exhibited a life of sacrifice
and thus followed in the steps ofthe
Great Master.