The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-25
THE DAY or nays.

watching over their fiocks on the plains of Palestine. saw that glorious Star which heralded to the world the most wondrous event of recorded time. It was to be the evidence and the har- binger of the mightier and brighter Star. that dual effulgence. both Earth ly and Heavenly, the union of that the God-chlld and the Man-child. who came as the Saviour of a ruined world. the only hope of the lost and the guide and supporter of the fallen.
 To those pastoral watchers, whose minds were on the hoeks. tho appear ance of that star was unnatural. won derful and startling but much more amazing was that Heavenly embassy of shining visitors. celestial, .anssiie. supernatural. whose glittering harps and ravishing voices. proclaim ed to the startled ears of the shepherd flock, the glad tidlngs that He whose coming was long ago foretold hy pro- phets and inspired writers had made His advent into the sin stricken world. The time had rounded out the prophecy had been fulfilled. and that had come to pass which had been waited and ex- pected for centuries of weary hope ard expectancy, and the Messiah and Prince of Peace had come down to dwell among men and to fGlfin that which was promised.
 Was 1t possible that the event so long foretold, so fervently watched and pray ed for had really come to pass? Had the fullness of time really been round ed out. the Christ really come to earth to begin His work" Did those thrilling words-"Unto you this day Is born a Prince and Savior really proceed from the lips of beings commissioned to bear the glad tidlngs to the wo5ry watchers: We can faintly imagine with what hopes and fears, such doubts and trem- bIings those humble shepherds left their fiocks and hastsned to Bethle hem to have the glad tidings confirmed and if possible, to see with their own eyes the wonderful Child which was neither God nor Man. neither earthly nor celestial but one in both and both into all the circumstances by which their humble village had become the most highly honored of all the earth the place which should be spoken of through all the land of Jewry. and whose fame should go down through the rolling tide of years as more sq- cred than Eden or Ararat. Horeb Or Moriah.
 And we may imagine with what tri- umphant joy these witnesses returned and related to- their wondering com rades. and to others. that they had vis- ited the humble manager in which was laid He of whom the sacred rolls spoke: perchance some of them had seen Him with their earthly eyes in all His in- fantine perfection and had heard the cries from Ills infant lirs, It was all wonderful. miraculous. incredulous. bur most wonderful of all, it was true.
 Almost twenty centuries have passed since that event, yet the story Is ever new. In every civilized land beneath the sun this great day is celebrated with anthems and appropriate services, with rejoicings and with praise and worship. Wherever there are Christian people to be found, some account Is taken of the day. and the people. old and young, rich and poor, bond or free, call to mind the glad announcement made by the angels, and all in some manner join in celebrating the coming of Savior of man. Gifts and good wishes, kindly greetings and blessed charity, go hand in hand, and all join in the good cheer and festivities of the glad Christmas time: It is a day when good people all over the earth devote a portion of their store to those who are less fortunate, and when sweet char ity makes glad the hearts of those who would otherwise be cheerless and mis- erabIe. -- .:#
 This is well and as it should be, and good people should bear in mind that everywhere there are some who. are really in need, and who must suffer from cold and want unless they are remembered by the givers of gifts. Let those who have something to spare, give to those who have nothing, and thus the Christmas time will be joy full to both the rich and the poor. It is cheerful to receive, but blessed to give. and in all parts of our land. es- pecially in the cites, there will be those
 vrriI1 h-, h,It a of sadness unless the good people re- member them. There will be homes where Santa Claus will be unknown. and where no full table will furnish a feast to hungry women and little .,nes if nohe dy helps them. Certainly this Is one day when selfishness might ba laid aside, when hard hearts might be softened and when the blessed splr- it of sweet charity and Christian love and Kindness might prevail over all other human attributes. . ,.
 In this favored land of ours. there Is much reason to rejoice and be glad Practically we are at peace with the world, God has blessed the earth with good crops and prosperity is the rule all over the land. There is suffering and prlvatlon in places, as there will ever be while humanity remains on the earth. but in the main. We of these United States may feel that we have much to rejoice over. Here at home, in this good State of Alabama. there Is much reason for good cheer, and that is all the more reason that the