Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-02-15
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THE CHRISTMAS GIFT.
By Henry F. Cop,

tle LOrd.-Luke H., IL.
Unuerlying All the other signifcances
of the Cnrls- mas season, there is the
fact tnat it celebrates the beginning of
a new era. 1t is no accident or mere
mechanical contriyance that We date
AL our events from the birth of the
Dlb.e Of Bernienem. There Is more
tlan diIerence in reckoning between
Il. &. and \. d.. there is great differ
ence in spirit, in the thoughts of men,
aud 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 benuing over the shepherds
we're the messengers of the Most High,
seeking out the lowliest and promising
10 all classes the time when, by the
reign of peace and good will, the har-
nony ana felicity of heaven should be
tle possession Of the earth. The OBJ
seryance 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, aud happiness that is in us.
If Christmas had been founded on
q myth it would still be worth the
chershing 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,
T.. still works for nobler things and
thoughts in mankind. The essential
Spirit of the day is but reflection of
it's origin. That was the day of heav-
ems great gilt to humanity; these, our
days Of giving.
THAI gift of which the angels sang
Is the measure as well as the source Of
all our giving. 1t was the gift of Il
life, and vain are our deeds and empty
our gifts to one another unless there
is also this giving of life; they are but
trade and barter. Every living, loy-
ing. lasting gift is the gift of some life !;
4. is the blood we put into 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
dissenting voice, testify was different
from all other lives, life touched by
n higher, nobler, diviner spirit; life
that was truly a gift to the world. and
such that no other gift has ever ap-
preached it in value.
All other things together have not so
enriched, inspired and elevated tie
world as the spirit, the example, the
words, and works of the man who be-
gan his life in the lowly manger
Whether s.ars appeared or angels sang
then makes little difference the life
was worthy of both and more. IthaS
been tie star Of inspiration and tbs
song and glory of the ages ever since
SO that it is more than figure O.
speech that speaks Of this as gif
from on high and as the outgoing o
The heart of all to us all. The deed
Of kindness, the words of supreme wis
dem and the tenderest sympathy ant
comfort, tie life of sacrifice, and tn
continued power Of that life to till
day. all cume to this world as the II
finite One seeking to find, and bless
md restore rs all.
His birth was the beginning of a ne'
spirit in the world Gone were th
days of hate and born the power Of tn
of 10,
son: they began with clearer visio
than ever before to give themselves
their fellows. They followed that d
vine light, and 1t led along paths {
pain. and toll, and loss, but it led
peace, and joy, and good will among'
men.
Thus Christmas day stands out {
typical and prophetic in its good fee
Ing of what all the days shall be. l
spirit is the little leaven that sha
leaven the whole lump until every da
Is Christ's day-a day of peace al
harmony, Of joy, and love among
all the sons Of men. a day that sha
last thousand years.
And the music that filled the a
that first Christmas night was but h
prelude to song that grows ev
sweeter. stronger. Continents long
lent or slghing catch the strain, ne
ages take 1t up, and over the din al
turmoil, over all the discords and ja
ring notes of our greed, and strii
and hatred rises more and more triul
phant the angels heaven born anthe
Of peace and good will-the glory
God in the good Of many.