The San Francisco call., 1906-12-24
OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS
Rev. j. e. Squires Tells How the HoI
Day Should Be Enjoyed

The service yesterday in the Cente-
nary M E. Church (South), Rev. j. E.
Squlres pastor, was attended by a large
congregation. The sermon by the pas
tor was on "Christ's Birth Announced
by the Angels" the text being from
Luke kill: Unto you is born this
day in the city of David a Savior, which
is Christ, the Lord" In part Rev
Squires said:
The season Of the year when we celebrate
ttr,. tne coming Of Jesus in the manger is proper
OF his incarnation in human nature I fear
that great waste of sacred opportunity is
occasion as holiday time simply. and by the
church IN many instances In turning even our
time OF light pleasures, and often hurtful prac-
tees. leaving " g. out the real use and proper OBJ
| 1t should be hilarious time, a time of
merry living, of rejoicing and making others re-
1oice, put we may not safely neglect to teach
Of all the Christmas festivals. 1t celebrates
the birth of Jesus Christ into the world, one
the history of our planet. His coming had been
promised in the primeval period of the life OF
in which he should Come. Through the SIC scatser
! ing, of these holy writings this hope had come
nations as well as the hope of Gods people
Israel men looked for his coming. The full
depart from Jacob. The seed was prepared
and soil was also ready. Holy men and women
Walted TOT the consolation OF israel The
Temple of James was closed because peace was
| in all the land.
| The taxing or the enrolment was the oc-
easion Of Mary and Joseph going up to Beth
! chel, who wept for her children and would not
| be comforted buried there. Samuel had
| come here to anoint shepherd boy King From
famine and across the Jordan her sons found
wives, one Of whom Ruth, would follow her
mother in law back, Here In stall among
| the lowly and dumb animals Jesus is born of
/ the Virgin Mary. Entering at the lowest that
he might touch every strata and lift the whole
| toward God and heaven.
] 1t was proper that angels of God should make
| the first announcement of such an event and
! that shepherds the hills about should hear
| 1t first. The hocks they watched were perhaps
| should take away the sins of the world The
glory Of the Lord shone round about them.
| Seen by wise in the far east ''star,' -
but the voices are distant and the words are
gracious. Unto you is born this day Savior
| He is for you; comes to you to bless and save
comes child mothers bosom-child of
poverty that he may make rich. No wonder
/ multitude Of the heavenly hosts came near
! and Joined in the chorus. GLORY to God In the
| Highest Men had caught the glad message
| around the world. "vfeing with Gabriel while
| he sings in notes almost divine Such is the
story Of Christmas and mere suggestion OF Its
1t is eminently appropriate that the childhood
| of the race should have first consideration In
our Christmas celebrations: not only because
his life and truth emancipated the childhood OF
| the race and gave 1t new meaning and glory.
] The true Christmas spirit is a most unseifish
| one. He gave the and the son gave himself,
i and when we more and more to under.
stand the Significance of his incarnation we shall
make the celebration Of his birth time OF
/ Presents to loved ones gifts to the needy and
j poor ourselves to him who gave himself for us