Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-21
c. II A T

~ - l. Il - -
As the 18th of December draws near it
seems TO me that every mother would. i'm
q measure. put herself in Mary's place.
IL seems that every mother would think
OF that Mother and that Babe who was
sent from his home in heaven to take
upon himself the sins of the world; to
set the prisoners OF superstition and
caste free: to lift UP womanhood; to
teach the world that God is not the cruel
Judge the Israelites pictured him. but
a loving Father who Is full OF compass
sion and who UNDERSTANDABLE that we are
dust.
This wonderful Baby looked into his
mothers eyes just as the dear little
babies look into their mothers eyes in
this day. He patted her cheek and. as
the months passed. he lisped her name
even as your little son does. for Jesus
was truly human child.
Can't you imagine that mother pom
dering over the visit of the angel. repeat.
ing 10 herself the words she heard and
wondering how Gods plans would be ac-
compIished? Can't you see her. weary
and depressed from the long ride to
Bethlehem and the knowledge that there
was no place for her at the inn. waiting
until Joseph could find a place for her
TO lay her weary head?
The coming Of the shepherds and their
story Of the heavenly singers. who upon
the midnight air chanted the blessed
words that have 'been the keynote Of
Christ's message to the world, must
have been a great pleasure to Mary.
and the alteration must have soothed her
as the lowly birthplace must have
wounded her She knew that hers was
no common baby; any mother thinks the
best scarcely good enough for her baby,
so when the shepherds and msgi sought
that humble place and brought gifts and
praise TO the Baby that the angels had
told about. don't you know that Mary's
heart beat lIghter7
But hers was to be no path of roses.
Soon came the command to fee from
Herod's wrath. and in an alien land she
abode until the word was given her TO
return to her own country. Until Jesus
was II years old he must have been as
other children or there would have been
some definite record Of the difference. for
Luke evidently got his knowledge OF
those early years from Mary;
but that mother knew that he
was to assume great responsibilities
and I've no doubt she kept all that he
said treasured in her heart Imagine her
anguish when Re was lost. and imagine
scorned- Her other children doubtless ex-
pressed impatIence and disbelief: one time.
you remember. they sent him a message
that really was intended 20 get him away
from hts work. and you remember the
answer.
While Jesus lived there is no record Of
his family standing by him. yet in his
uast years two OF his brothers. James
and Jude did become his followers. or
. nfx- wSs ,e Il
sus Christ" and in their epistles We CLEAN
much that throws light on the times and
know from their willingness to die for
the cause that they were true followers.
Some one. in reading all that I have
written about the human side OF Christ
and his mother may think that I am for
getting his divinity; but that would be
q mistake When you hear any one CUES
ton Jesus divinity and say that he was
only a very good man. ask them why
there has never been another like him.
What the human race produced in that
time Of crudeness and prejudice should
be. and is. improved on yearly: but there
has been no Improvement on the charac-
ter of the oSn OF God. II one fails to be-
Iieve those words: This is my beloved
SON" or the testimony: For God so low
ed the world that He gave His only be-
ErAtCn SOL NildA NNucotktE ueueNeln on .
Him shall not perish but have eternal
life" then that takes away the life of the
Bible. Do you remember what Phillips
Brooks Seid2
a bright and happy Christmas to you.
Lift up yourselves to the great meaning
Of the day. and dare to think of your hu- \
mainly as something so sublimely prec-
ious that il is worthy of being made an
Offering to God and then go out to the
pleasures and duties of our life, having
been truly born anew into His divinity as
lie was born into out humanity on Christ
mas day
And in conclusion. my wish for you is
that
Good fortune attend thee.
Good angels defend thee.
Good thoughts possess thee"
Faithfully yours.
LIZZIE o. THOMAS.