The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-25
Reproduction of Nativity of Sav.
i0r in Catholic Chucrhes.
Father Hayden Presides at
Church of Assumption Service.
EARLY MASSES SAID.
Celebration Begins at Five
O'clock i'm Morning.
An Impressive Sermon Preached
This Forenoon.

This Forenoon.
Down in Brazil there is a flower of
| rarest beauty which blooms only at
| midnight. 1t is found far in the heart
of the great client forests; the sun
tosses over its close-shut leaves during
the day; but when night comes they
open, and the forests are filled with its
sweet perfume.
In Bethlehem 1000 years ago the
first bud that promised a new Chris
tinaity was opened by divine ordi-
nance. Its fragrance fills the world
today. The mother church which nur-
tured the flower through all the gloom
OF the dark ages re-enacted today in
all her number1ess churches, in allie
CORY, the scene of the Madonna and
the child
Those who attended the services at
the Church of the Assumption this
morning almost saw the scenes at
conscious Of the hush that fell around
the stable outside of Bethlehem-like
the deep silence that comes over the
people in the temple little while be-
fore the moment of the conservation
in the mass-for the Holy of Holes
was about to enter his creation in
visible form. Joseph and Mary had
been obliged to go to Bethlehem to be
enrolled, because they belonged to the
house and the family of David. The
order had come from Rome.
How many another order will go
forth to the world from the Christian
Rome? Up and down the narrow
streets they had gone in the closing
of the day, seeking a shelter for the
coming night. But in the city of their
royal ancestors there was no place for
them in the inn. He came to His own
and His own received Him not.
At last the weary travellers reached
rude stable followed in the rock.
They entered. The night grew on
apace. All was still. The world slept
while the creator of the universe was
coming to redeem it. And that night
among the angels there was wonder
in their hearts. They breathlessly
awaited the mystery to become visible
Suddenly as flower exhales it's
perfumes; Silly as the ray reflects its
light. the virgin brought forth the
Child Incarnate; and wrapped the in
FAINT God in swaddling clothes. and
laid him in the manger.
Not sound on earth but listen, the
very angels have left the heavens and
they are singing up in the starry still
ness of the sky: "Glory be to God in
the highest Out on the hills the
and an angel appeared to them, say
ing: Fear not, for behold 1 bring
you good tidings of the great joy
which shall be to all the people, for
unto you is born in the city of David,
a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord"
In the Church of the Assumption
this morning a similar scene was
enacted, and it was not merely a
scene, a representation of an event
that has faded in history that is
dead and gone, but it was a living
reality.
There is not Catholic in Topeka
but believes with all his heart and
soul, that Christ the Savious was as
really present in the Church of the
Assumption this morning. as he was
really present in the stable of Bethle-
hem 1000 year sago.
When the lights were, turned for
high mass at o'clock this morning.
the church was one of the most i'm
pressive sights. On the right of the
altar the crib of the Christ-child is
reproduced in the manger, and the
statuary about represents the wise
men and the parents. In the distance
can be seen Bethlehem and the
heavens, and the services which be-
gan at that hour were in harmony
with the occasion.
Father Hayden's Address.
The Very Rev. Dean Hayden acted
as celebrant, Father Coppingham, s.
j., as deacon, and Father McGrath.
sub-deacon. The sermon at the high
mass was short, and was Immediately
followed by another mass. and holy
communion was distributed. At s
O'Clock still another mass was OBJ
served, which was followed by high
mass at 1890 o'clock, which Was
closed with benediction and sacra-
ment.
Punctuating the service with words of
praise for the Omnipotent the Very
Reverend Dean Hayden said: Under
the old law for 1900 years, the world
had lived in a semi darkness, relying
on the promises of the Messiah to come.
promises which were made in the gar
den after the fall. and repeatedly re-
newed during all this long period by the
prophets
Through misinterpretation of these,
adm weary of delay the people of God
fell into idolatry, and every excess. into
sins which st. Paul describes could not
even be mentioned amongst Christians.
''At last the long desired period came,
Immediately foretold by st. John the
Baptist that the time was at hand, and
the memorable event of the birth of the
Saviour happened in the little city of
Bethlehem.
This meant the crushing out of lido
latry and paganism. hanishing the
heather belief, and sounding a note for
the advance of Christianity. With the
birth in the humble manger civiliza-
ton was conceived. and the words of
joy which come from the angels found
their impetus that day and these words
will never die
AN ARTISTIC CALENDAR.