The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-26
Why Do We Reiolce2

ly ask.
 Why Do We Rejoice2
 What are we, any of us who have in our hearts true Christian joy what are we rejoicing over? Why are we glad to- day, reme nbering that Jesus Christ was born into this world so many years ago? What does that birth in Bethlehem mean to Us? Is it a getting rid of re- sponsibiity? Is it the consciousness of divine condemna tion of human sin with drawn? Of new leniency on Gods part proclaimed? Nay, not that. but rather it's opposite; the standard of duty raised higher the sense of responsibility made deeper and wider--man come into pos session of a nobler vision and under ob- ligation himself to be nobler because of that vision. It means that those who walked in darkness were to see a great light, and know better henceforth the walked. Because 8 Christ was born there was to be a Christ-lfe lived and the living of 1t would show holiness winter and wickedness blacker forever For judgment came He into the world, and yet Himself to judge no man, to con- demn no man: men were to judge them selves, as they measured themselves by Him-their faith by His faith. their hopes by His hopes, their aims and deeds by His aims and deeds, their character by His character.
 And for none, save them who choose, who deem themselves privileged, to love the highest when they see it: for none save those who know themselves blessed when height and breadth are added to their ideals of duty, strength and depth to their sense of responsibility--for none save them has the birth of Jesus Christ evNr meant genuine great joy-the kind of joy that He has sought to give.
 How clear this Is. that we who rejoice today, celebrating Christ's birth must re- joice that through Him we have been morally and spiritually blessed raised up to nobler heights-where we hate sins, resist temptations, do duties, cherish sentiments and ideals-wnieh means that somehow, His life has touched ours: that somehow we have been brought within the radius of His glory.
 What other basis can there be, what other meaning for our Joy, our Christmas IeStlNalf Ine one IS mere animal nllar- ity and the other, a ghastly absurdity accompanied by the consciousness that our life has ignored the christ-life; that, morally. spiritually, we should be just what we are if there had been no birth in the Bethelehem manager No man, re- membering the birth. can be conscious today of true Christmas joy, who knows within himself that the spiritual standard of Jesus Christ is a standard he rejects; no man who knows within himself that what Christ is for he Is against, and the shadow on human life today means that by many men the spiritual standard of Jesus Christ is standard rejected and dspised.
 Prophecy Awaits FulfiIIment
 So I say the angelic prophecy yet waits it's fulfilment. Not yet is there great joy among all people. because the world s redeemer was born in Bethlehem; but only among those who have been master ed by the story of His great tragedy and His greater triumph--the true disciples of His spirit, and true lovers of His truth
 But surely unless human history be a gigantic fraud the time must come when over this wide earth that angel prophecy will be fulfilled; when, wherever there is a human soul to be purified. auickened saved; human soul to will for itself the highest nobleness. to walk the high est way that leadeth to eternal life-there