The news & observer., 1905-12-24

Saviour. Jesus Christ. the Righteous,
he NOT cast down or sad or doleful on
FThis great Christian festival. For lugu-
brious wailings let us offer strains
resonant with hope and eloquent with
gratitude and praise.
Since the Lord Jesus became incar-
nate what vast changes have occurred
and dynasticS of this world, kingdoms
and dysnasties have risen and fallen
and others have risen, and are to fall.
The progress of the human race has
been truly marvellous. The spread of
Christianity is the great fact of his
tory. The glorious Gospel of the Son
of God has been a great blessing to hu-
manity. 1t has ameliorated the con-
dition of the race. and lifted man to a
plane of which the ancient world be-
fore Christ never dreamed. Since an
gelic lips proclaimed TO lost, ruined
race peace on earth ana good Will to
mankind mans happiness has been
very greatly increased and mans
hopes have been immeasurably
frightened Well NAV every pious soul
exclaim on this Day. Of the birth of
the Goldman the Christchild Thank
God for the hope Of Heaven and the
promise of Eternal Life" Man is ex-
allied, and the crystal gates of the
Christian City stand wide open upon
their golden hinges Some one has
said, know not whom, of our human
ity as affected by the coming Of the
Saviour:
"It is made the temple of the Living
God, the sanctuary of the Holy Ghost,
the portion of a body in which the
plentitude of the Divinity resides. the
object of the complacency and love
of the Father What a dignity, what
an honor! Well may we rejoice then
on Christmas morning and Christmas
day. Yet our jov will be empty and
meaningless, if with undevout hearts
we celebrate this great anniversary
day of the Birth of Christ. !"
TO every devout soul the recurring
of Christmas is always an occasion for
profound thankfulness and praise of
sincere gratitude. of serious medita-
ton. 1t brings before the eye of the
soul the Sacrificial Death as we'll as
the birth-hour of the Divine Son
While it comes so ladened with prom
ises and accompanied with Heav-
enly symphonies 1t also looks to the
awful scenes that were enacted in
Jerusalem, and were ccHsummated at
the Place of Skulls. The life OF Jesus
was beautiful. His death was the
crowning act in the great scheme OF
mercy. and human redemption.
But this is also the Chidren's Day.
They are made happy bv the smiles
of the home, the delightful. attractive
gifts, the innocent hilarity and the
caressng clasps of loving hearts. II
is the day that tells them of Him, the
Dear One, who blessed the little chill
dren while on earth. taking them in
His loving arms,--the dear little chill
dren whose angels watch over them
in Heaven Let this be day of sWe ct
good will, but without debauchery or
roysterinr or anything that is un-
seemly and offensive to Jehovah. Be
glad but avoid abuse. IT is good to
do good as well as to be good. Let the
purse-strings he open. Let the hand
of eraciousness and liberality be
stretched forth, and hearts be made
glad and rejoicing. Let the light Of
many a darkened hearthstone be
made brighter with the light of the
coming of this Natal Day of Jesus,
the Lord
For unto us 2 Christ is born unto
us a Son is given: and the govern
ment shall be upon His shoulder; and
His Name shall be called Wonderful
Counsellor, The Almighty God. The
Everlasting Father, The Prince of
Peace.--Isaiah 90
And the angel said unto them: Fear