Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1907-02-08
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THE CHRISTMAS GIFT.
By Henry F. Cope

OF OdNlu Il saviour winch is OHrlSt
the Lord.-Luke H., IL.
Underlying all the other significances
Of the Christmas season, there is the
fact that it celebrates the beginning of
new era. 1t is no accident or mere
mechanical continuance that we date
all our events from the birth of the
Bible of Bethlehem. There Is more
than difference in reckoning between
b. C. and A. D.; there is great differ
ence In spirit, in the thoughts Of men,
and the trend of history.
The new day began with the dawn
ing of the understanding that heaven
turned to earth with love and longing
Angels bending over the shepherds
were the messengers of the Most High,
seeking out the lowliest and promising
to all classes the time when, by the
reign OF peace and good Will, the har-
mony and felicity of heaven should be
the possession Of the earth. The OBJ
servance Of this day helps to bring in
that era of good will and to fulfill that
promise by bringing to the surface at
least once year the best of kindness
generosity, and happiness that Is In U.S.
If Christmas had been founded on
myth it would still be worth the
cherishing What could be better for
us all than a time when we rejoiced In
giving, in serving, in thinking and plan
Ming the good of others? Greatly as the
spirit of the season has been abused,
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thoughts in mankind. The essential
spirit Of the day is but reflection Of
its origin. That was the day of heav-
ems great gift to humanity these, our
days Of giving.
Tina Gift Of which the angels sang
all GU; giving. 1t was the gift of
life, and vain are our deeds and empty
orr gifts to one another unless there
is also this giving of life; they are bur
trade and barter. Every living, low
ing, lasting gift is the gift of some life;
II is the blood we put into a thing that
gives it value.
BY that gift long ago the Most High
sought TO have men understand His
love for them. In some way there then
began life that all the ages, Without
a dissenting voice, testify was different
from all other lives, life touched by
higher, nobler, diviner spirit; a life
that was truly a gift to the world. and
such that no other gift has ever ap-
preached 1t in value.
All other things together have not so
enriched, inspired, and elevated the
world as the spirit, the example, the
words, and works of the man who be-
gan his life In the lowly manger.
Whether stars appeared or angels sang
then makes little difference; the life
was worthy OF both and more. 1t has
been tie star of inspiration and the
song and glory of the ages ever since.
So that ii is more than a figure of
speech that speaks of this as a gift
from Oh high and as the outgoing of
the heart of all to us all. The deeds
of Kindness, the words of supreme wis
dom and the tenderest sympathy and
comfort, the life of sacrifice, and the
continued power of that life to this
day, all cone to this world as the In
finite One seeking to find, and bless,
and restore Us all.
His birth was the beginning of a new
spirit in the world. Gone were the
days of bate and born the power of the
days Of love- Men learned a new les
son; they began with clearer vision
than ever before to give themselves to
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vine light, and it led along paths Of
pain. and toll, and loss, but 1t led to
peace, and joy, and good will amongst
men.
Thus Christmas day stands out as
typical and prophetic in It's good feel
ing of what all the days shall be. It's
spirit is the little leaven that shall
leaven the whole lump until every day
is Christ's day-a day of peace and
harmony, of joy, and love amongst
all the sons of men, day that shall
last a thousand years.
And the music that filed the air
that first Christmas night was but the
prelude to a song that grows ever
sweeter, stronger. Continents long ST.
lent or signing catch the strain. new
ages take it up, and over the din and
turmoil, over all the discords and Jar
ring notes OF our greed, and strife,
and hatred rises more and more trium-
plant the angels heaven born anthem
Of peace and good will-the glory of
Coo in the good of many.
THE CHURCH.
Rv Rev Jnbn UaS1ar