The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1903-12-24
CHRISTnAS.

had wandered far away. seemed TO stoT
in its cause and turn back. giving prom
Use Of another spring and another har
vest, the people celebrated the event with
feasting, gift making and general festiv
tiles. But to Christmas the day hal
vastly more significance for 10 them 1t i,
the anniversary Of ar event 80 fraughl
with tenderness and majesty that the
contemplation of it awes all thoughtful
minds, while at the same time il brought
symbols OF hope to mortals that gave tc
the event enchantment. Its history IL
the story OF the birth of Him whom
Christians look to as their Redeemer.
He did not come as he had been ox
pected to come, oplueror with armies
and banners. out as il to symbol to the
humblest soul on earth his brotherhood
he came, as babe in the squalor OF q
manger. Nor where those who were ap
prised OF His coming the worlds rulers
nor the worlds scholars, nor the rich ol
the world Rather while humble sh-p
herds where watching their fiocks b,
night above AID around them an in
effsble, holy light shone. Aud to them
when haif-fainting with fear under the
super natural splendor, the voice came
"Fear not, for, behold l bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall bs
to all people.
"For unto you is born this day in th.
city Of David, Saviour, which is Chris
the Lord"
And then all the ether was filled will
music, IA multitude OF the heavenly hos
singing-Glory to God in the highest, anc
on earth peace, good will toward man..
The thrill caused by that event is still
felt, it will always be. No other history
compares with it, none other ever car
until the second coming.
II was the promise OF an immortal life
to mortsls' 1t brought heaven down clos,
to earth. 1t lifted man up close to tn,
angels: il made clear that man was link
ed to higher life by tie that deatl
cannot break; that the mould Of tn,
grave cannot disintegrate.
No wonder that Christians usher tn.
anniversary Of that day in with carroll
and the ringing OF joy bells; no wonder
that with all the ostentation possible
with organ and choir, with robed priest,
and burning incense the day is hailed
Clustered around it are the sweetest
hopes ever vouchsafed it is filled with
the highest promise ever given TO NOR
tails; to the devout it takes the sting from
Death and from the grave its victory
1t is right t. celebrate the day and il
does not require very much faith to be.
lieve that. on such M anniversary, thai
same multitude of the heavenly host
returns and that could our hearing be
sublimated we might catch again the re-
frain. GLORY TO God in the highest
The day should be filled with JOY, but
the JOY should have solemn shading, al
becomes the memory Of the events Of that
initial night when the Universe wal
stirred at the coming of the Messiah.
Around the day. too, should be some
of the peace which was proclaimed from
the ether.
Friends should draw nearer TO each
other; 1t should be the dearest day Of al
the year in the family for ihe promise ol
it is that families shall he re united, thai
every vacant chair shall be filled. II
should make charitable every heart foi
where SO much OF hope is given there
should be corresponding gratitude
Men watched the stars 10 their course
and marked their exact order and nn.
fading splendor for ages; they marked
the ebb and flow OF the seasons, thu
death OF the winter, the resurrection OF
the spring; the summers bloom aud the
frultion of the harvest, and wondered il
after their winter here, there was to be q
spring for them and harvest Of joy be
yond it, but only vague and unfalfilled
promises came to them until that light
appeared to the shepherds. until voice
not OF this world spoke Of the words ol
peace; until the heavenly host awoke the
triumphal song. Hence this anniversar,
is a sacred one. Itcarries double prom
mise; one that the world shall shake of
its chill and that the birds and flowers
will return, one that there will be fo
those who have grown cold and faller
asleep here, dawn filled with softe
light than ever shone on mortal eyes
with music sweeter than ever charmed
mortal ears.
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