The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-22
Tn. Christina. Picture.
, for rrhe Advertiser,


 And she brought forth her firstborn Son and, wrapt Him in swaddlingl clothes snd laid Him in a manager
 Mother and child! That is the pie ture which Christmas brings to us. and what more beautiful sight IS there in the world? What more Wonderlui' and yet what more ssses sommonpeaen once more a Bethlehem. For there God stands re- re- veaied helpless babe upon His Men S had pictured God in n, many ?; shapes. Sometimes they thought oL Him as a mighty law-giver sitting ,gy fancy was not wrong. for St. John saw Him so: And in the midst of tn e seven cand!estehs of Msn was one HIS ke geS eges were as a flame of fire. and His voice as the sound Of many waters. And He had ir Ills right int hand seven sSen two edged sword. and His countenance was as the sun shining In His strength"
 terrible warrior going forth to con quer and destroy all who opposed Him. And that was not a false idea either, for thus John had seen the Lord:
 hold white horse, and He that sat upon 1t was called Faithful and True. and in Sighteousnesos o,,t He d9is s mongs oonge goeth a sharp sword. that with 1t He should smite the nations; He shall rule tn em with rod of iron. and He tread- wrath M of Almighty God" But these only gave partial view of the character of God. Might and power were justly His; no.* 6nt Wha 9,Sai3 Gonjq of all glory and choose to appear m the weakness and humility of an in fant? And yet 1t was only as the Baoe of Bethlehem. lying in that rude man ger. that the whole of Gods nature stood revealed.
 He took the shape of a little child | and appealed to their love and tenuer- ness, and q say it with all reverence) to their pity!
 A God in peril! A God weak A God fed by mortal woman! God wrapt in swaddling clothes and laid in a manager! If that sight does not touch our heart, what will?
 By that wonderful fact He has 1 taught men that He feels with and foI them. God Himself has been through | the pains of infancy. God has hun- | gered. God has wept. God has grown and increased in stature and in wis dom and in favor with God and man. And why? That He might take on Him our whole human nature, from the baby on it's mothers breast to the full
 
 with all His powers against the evil | of the world.
 Christ can be. is all and all to men because He is the Son of man. His life | Is eternal in the heavens. above all | change of time and space, for time ant l space are but His creatures and Hii l Locls. For the strong, He can be tht | strongest. and to the weak. weakest oi all With the mighty He can be the | King of KinCs. and with the poor He cru wander. not having where to lay l IIIs head. Wi.h the mourner He weeps 1 forever, ar yet He will sit as of old | If lie he invited) and bless the mar riage feast. For the penitent He hangs | forever on the cross and yet He stands forever judging the nations upon earth With the aged and the dying He goes | down into the grave; with the young He shares the trials and pleasures oj youth.
 But during this blessed Christina. season our thoughts and hearts arc | dra wn more especially to lhe Holy l Babe, the gentle and helpless Christ l child ly;ng upon His mothers bosom l For His sake all children becomes dearer and more sacred. because ir | Him all are blest.
 | 70 God. who makest us glad with tho | yearly remembrance of the birth oi | Thine only Son. Jesus Christ, grant | that as we joyfully receive Him fol our Redeemer. so we may with sm confidence beh old Him when He shal come to be our Judge" Amen.