The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-25

one of another. and while 1t is true every man must bear his own burden, 1t is equally true that we should bear one another's burdens. Nor are these things surprising when we remember there was born in Bethlehem on that first Christmas Day One who was to add another commandment to the Ten given amid Sinai's thunders. "A new commandment ] give unto yeu, that ye love one another" Love! Thus Christ opened up a hitherto unknown field of thought and exertion for each gen. eration of men. giving a supreme place to the human affections, to enthusiasm for the good of others. How could it be otherwise where love is, love of Christ. which also enables us to see what is good, just, true and beautiful in others?
 It is not the deed we do
 But the Love that the dear Lord iooketh
 Hidden with holy care
 In the heart of the deed so fair.
 Margaret B. Sangster.
 Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you Is born this day in the s ssy 1 Rsyf has snR Se %s ansec # es senger, of One who was to transform mans ideas of God and of his relation to Him. For this revelation of the Tn- carnate Son of God overthrow the fa- talism of the East, which destroyed both the freedom and the hope of man, and overthrow the misconception of God as an Infinite Idea unknowable to man. or an Infinite Will arbitrarily governing man. Yes, these things were overcome through the revelation of God the Redeemer in His human nature. God as a Savior, Christ the Lord" working in man for the reaIi- Own image. Yes, the good tidings of great joy" tell us of the birth of Savior Who was the Desire of all na- tions; a Savior Who seeks to reclaim. renew. educate and complete men in the likeness of God; a Savior Who gives a new revelation of God and a new revelation of man. Therefore, do we have infinite cause for joy and gratitude on Christmas Day?
 Good tidings of great joy" Yes, for see what Christ came to be and to do. He came to be the new Inward Life, in Whom each of us might die to sin and rise to righteousness; die to self and rise to the Savior. He came to restore and perfect the individual, and to develop the image of God in each man, thus making human history real ly progress toward God and the Kingdoms of His righteousness. But, above all, He came as the personal Savior of those who accept Him in pen itence, obedience and faith as Lord and King. He came, satisfying the consuming necessity of the world, which was to be saved from sin, He came. bringing inestimable and infin- ite joy ta the world in the assurance of q Savior. So He came to world waiting and watching amid it's wrecks, for some great peliverer; world sorely stricken with sin and suffering and failure; q world weary of its life- less religions and heartless philoso- phies, which could neither save mans soul nor satisfy his mind. But, He of Whom the angels brought good tid- inRs of great joy" emptied Himself of the form of God, making Himself in the likeness Of men and so could stand at the dim doors of our mortal Life the low latch of life; and enter Unto this early roof; and sit within The circle of the senses: at the hearth Of the affections; be our guest on Loving our love. and sorrowing in our
 sin.
 How directly do these good tidings of great joy proclaimed in the mes
  the human heart! How supremely and completely do they meet the need Of human experience! For man knows that he cannot find peace with God, peace with himself, peace with his fel- bowman, until he Is healed of sin' purged of his impurities and made strong and true. And this is done through the mighty power of "a saw for, which is Christ the Lord He lifts man into right relation with God his Father and Maker. out of which relation flows love and unsel1ishness ss, virtues wnicn shall ultimately bring about the happiness of homes, univer- sal benevolence, charity, peace and good will. And further, the god tid- ings of great joy" also mean the re- ligion of Christ Is to be a social force in the world. mean that individual sal- vation is not lis only object in com ing into the world, as the average Christian seems to fancy Oh, no! the essential and profound truth is also proclaimed Gas yet so feebly reaiized), that thls Savior which is ~hrIst the Lord." brought religion to man which means the creation of q noble, pup 1 lie lite and the infusion into socia! in | stitutions of Christian principles, such as: the recognition of the identity of all human interests. the Identification i of ones self with humanity, and min i istration to ones fellows, which the Apostle, St. James, calls pure and un- defiled religion"
 Again. In the light of the Christ mas message, let us strive to realize the inspiring comfort expressed in the words of another. ITO us men who are capable of receiving truth from God | becAuse we are made In the image Of i God Jesus Christ brought new revela- | tion of the essential ana eternal char