The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-25

by the Western church, the early sub
sequent adherence of the Eastern
church, and the unanimous acceptance
Of the whole and undivided church
make us as certain as anything can,
short of mathematical demonstration.
Of the correctness Of Dec. Is as the
true date of the Nativity.
But presume the most convincing
of all arguments will be allowed to
be this: On the Cross Our Lord COM
mitted the care of His blessed Mother
to His beloved disciple, st. John. She
spent the closing years of her life at
st. Johns home. The Nativity was
celebrated many times during her life
time. 1t is absolutely inconceivable
that the birth of her son could be cele-
hrated with her knowledge and con-
sent OH wrong date. II never before,
she must have spoken to st. John
after the ascension of the night and
incidents of the birth of Him they
both loved so we'll. 1t is incOnceiv-
able that St. John could have cele-
brated the Nativity on any other than
the day of birth. ST. John had a dis
>ciple we'll known in history, Polycarp,
bishop of Smyrna. He celebrated the
Nativity, and it is inconceivable that
he, whose boast it was that what he
delivered he received from st. John,
could observe the Nativity on any
other than the correct date. Now
Polycarp had disciple named Ireneus
| and Ireneus claims that he delivered
the doctrines and customs as he re
ceived them from st. Polycarp and
others. This Ireneus was made bishop
of Lyons, and delivered to the Chris
tians there the customs he had re
ceived from st. Johns disciple. HI
was martyred 202. Belonging to tn
same local church, the Gallican, wa
st. Martin, born GIG, and made bishol
of Tours in 81. He of cource re
ceived the customs as lreneus deli1
cred them. His sister was the mothe
of st. Patrick, apostle OF Ireland. III
Irish church. converted northwester
Europe. The day observed by a
these as the natal day of Christ
Dec. rs.
Who were the shepherds to whol
the angel of the Lord appeared? The
were not ordinary shepherds. You r.
! member two lambs were offered dali
in the continual burnt offering on til
altar in the temple. In addition thel
were special offerings. These sacrifice
required large flocks. Shepherds wei
needed to tend these lambs, types
"the Lamb of Cod" now born. TT
pasturage where these lambs were Il
was the field of Bethlehem. tt
Shepherds were a quasi sacred ord
inferior to the Levites. Their occ
patton was similar to Abel's. 1t WI
to these shepherds. lowly but Go
- fearing men, that the angel appeare
"a = -----4,----,>..-, .<,f atha. L ord shope ronl
- about.sssT they weretv, engased7sains.d
charging their duty, and to all dol
their duty to God and man will cor
= the glory Of the Lord and the MESA
e of peace, good will to men.
i The events of Christ's sinless II
Il have not been recorded in the anna
l. of earthly history, nor emblazoned
e the rolls of earthly fame, nor herald
n in pomp and state by earthly tru
e pets: for He loved to manifest
e spotless life among the nameless on
e of the toiling and busy throng; ,
q there is record kept of that stainle
l. life in the pages of the Book
, Space. with precision passing ear
= ly effort and an exactitude which t
It spheres alone could give.