Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1906-12-19
CHI 4,sTIAN ENDEAvos.
Prayer Meeting Topic For the Week
Ecginning Dec. -.
BY REV. $. II. DOYLE.


suAs spirit through 1867 Luke H. $50.
The celebration of the birth of Christ
h necessarily limited to but one
Day of the year. which we call Christ
mas day But the spirit OF Christmas
should be- manifested upon every day
ef the year. To do this it is necessary.
arst of all. to understand just what the
spirit of Christmas is. There are
many things that characterize the
Christmas season, bit IL we We're call
ed upon to name the one that is most
prominent the majority of Christians
would undoubtedly decide in favor OF
joy Christmas is, above all, Joyous
season. THE spirit of joy has eharac-
terizel the day of Christ's birth from
the very Ginning. 1t was the key
note of the announcement of the anrel
Of the Lord to the shepherds on the
first Christmas morning, Behold /
bring y3u good tidings of great joy"
And what reason for great joyl For
unto yen is born this day in the city OF
David Saviour which is Christ the
Lord Wei may the whole world
sing at Christmas:
Joy to the world. the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing.
Of all the seasons Of the year the
Christmas season is the most joyous of
all Joy is the dominating spirit of
the season.
This spirit Of joy at Christmas is
manifested in different ways. a 1t is
manifested in expressions of gratitude
to God. With the angelic chorus the
world sings GLORY to God in the high
est. and on earth peace. good will to-
ward men" Perhaps at no other time
10 God so abundantly praised as al
Christmas time. At that time as sell
dom at any other we remember Gods
great gift to the world. and the senti
ment of most people is. Thanks be
unto God for His unspeakable gift"
But gratitude to God is not to be linz
tied to any one day of the year. how
ever Important that day may be. II
should characterize every day of the
year. Every day we should praise and
bless His molly name and not only for
the daily blessings of life, but every
day there should be In our hearts that
spirit of joy that viii lead us to thank
Him daily for the gift Of His son, e.
II Is manifested in the kindly attitude
Of men toward their fellow men. Be
ing joyful ourselves, we are anxious
DO impart this joy to others. The result
- joyful greetings, the enriching of
the lives of others with gifts, unusual
Kindness and expression of good viii
But these are also things that should
not be reserved for but one season of
the year. There are always those about
us who need our assistance Kind
words and deeds are needed and appre-
ciated every day of the year. The
spirit of joy should be factor in our
nyes every day. Indeed, the Christ
mas spirit will accomplish greater re-
suits and prove a greater blessing on
the common days of life than at 4 par
ticular holiday season. Then all are
more or less able to find joy for them
selves. But it is mostly when amid
the daily routine of life, with its du-
ties and burdens, that we need the sym
pathy, cheerful greetings and assist
ance of our fellow men Let rs not
forget this fact. Let US be kind AMI
helpful upon all occasions, and thus
manifest the Christmas spirit through
out the new year upon which we shall
soon enter
But how may we carry this spiril
through the year? By remembering
the goodness of God to rs in the gift
Of His Son. 1t is this that fills us with
the spirit of joy at the Christmas sea
son, and why should ii not have the
same effect at other times? 1t I'M
doubtedly would, but the trouble is
that we forget it. But let us forget it
no longer. When an opportunity comes
70 do deed of kindness or to speak "a
word of good cheer TO some one in
trouble, in sorrow or IN discourage
ment, let US remember the great gift
Of God TO US and give ourselves in
good deeds, in kind words and in heart
felt sympathy to others
BIBLE REFERKNCFs.
Gen iii, 10; lisa. vii, IA; tx, 9. 2; ri,
1-10; Mic. V, 2; Zech. TX, 9; Mai. iii, /;
", 1-6; Matt. /, LIS; Luke 1, 1888;
John lii, 10; Rom. v, 90; Rev. xii, IL.
pyn-sk.