The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1906-12-22
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

The glad tidings" brought by Angels from God
to man 1906 years ago have resounded down
through the centuries and have been a source of
joy to the young and old. To the man of faith
merry Christmas is full of significant meaning
To the Indifferent and incredulous the meaning is
a contradiction Behold this child is set for the
fall and for the resurrection of many in Israel
and for a sign which shall be contradicted"
In Bethlehem three persons attract attention.
These are the Infant, his Mother and Joseph. They
are alone in the stiffness of the night At the mid
night hour a new born babe enters the world. This
is the most remarkable event in the history of the
world, and its simplicity is inseparable from its
sublimty Twenty centuries have not lessened its
charms. The memory of that event is cherished to-
day by countless people. The newborn babe is
wrapped in swaddling clothes. He rests in man
ger Here is poverty.
The news of this important event. first heralded
by Angels. comes to poor shepherds who are keep
ing night watch over their masters flocks. Be
meath the helpless form of human personality they
see the divinity. They adore and depart in peace.
Wise kings come from the Far East and offer
their gifts. They also adore. Between these wise
kings and the first visitors, e.. the simple guile
plicity and wisdom, poverty and wealth are repro
sented, and all by the heavenly light are di-
rected to Bethlehem. Then and there began the
joyous greetings Merry Christmas" Had not the
simple gospel narrative been so faithfully verified,
it would appear contradiction. 1t all accord
ing to prophecy To confound incredulity still
more the entire life of this Child from Bethlehem
to Calvary was portrayed by the ancient prophets.
The faith that sprung from the Crib. has, for
1906 years, held the world in check. 1t lifted up
the pagan world plunged in the darkness of error,
into the light of truth During this same period of
time. incredulity has denied this Light and tried
hard to take tthe Child of Promise out of the
world
The event (which took place that night, is re-
markabe ONLY for its simplicity and obscurity yet
it gradually I'D MP to the homage and love of mil
lions 1t originated at time when the Roman En-
pre- was at tie zenith Of its glory when the world
was swaved And ruled by opulence, and corrupt
morals existed everywhere. The power and influ-
ence of wealth we're more marked then than they
are today. But in the designs of Providence His
Son is born i'm a manger and the first announce
ment of that great event is made to poor simple
guileless shebherds Here two facts astonish-
ing as they Dire remarkable in their results present
themselves. EThe manner of the birth and its an
nouncement represent in the social scale neither
power. Influence. nor wealth. Here was chal-
lenge to tbd throne of Caesar. None but God
could make luch challenge. The power of the
Roman Empire. backed up by the Synagogue, were
pitted aganIt the Infant OF Bethlehem ana ms
after life What were the results History teiiS
that amonoI his followers were to be found all
classes of persons. From the illiterate up to the
most gifted scholars; from the simple to the
wisest of philosophers, and from the poor and
down--troddJn up to kings and other rulers were
! found zealoJs adhcrents, who espoused His cause
| often sealink their faith with martyrs crown
Considering the owy origin OF the lnian.' porn ~
Bethlehem. used an argument against iii9
! t4aims to BID the long expected Messiah, ooUiu