Evening journal., 1909-12-15

receive it. Invariably a child who
has no playthings but blocks and sim
pie toys win enjoy them more than
the one that gets all the mechanical
toys and expensive playthings. And
so when we grow up we are usually
more pleased with the simple presents
that come from the heart than with the
more elaborate ones that are given
mainly for show. Peter said "Silver
and gold have 1 none, but such as I
have give l unto you" to the poor man,
and "such as he had" meant more than
all the silver and gold in the world.
If we will give a loving a faithful
heart to the world on this glad
Christmas day, nothing more can be
asked.
When God gave His great Christmas
present He gave it to the entire world,
not just to a few. He gave salvation
as a free gift to all men. Too often
do we confine the happiness which we
create on Christmas day to the bosom
of our own family or friends. We
think that just because we are happy
| everybody else ought TO rejoice. But
there is brighter duty. a nobler call
ing than just in our own circle. Think
of the thousands who are not so happy,
and to whom Christmas day simply
means another day Of suffering. We
/ can show them that we are Christians
| by giving them some of our store on
/ this day. even though It is but the
widows mite. We can open the way
for the story OF the Christ to be told
them and have them rejoice with us
that Saviour was born.
Christmas is not a day or a season,
but a condition OF heart and mind. Il
we love our neighbors as ourselves;
If in our riches we are poor in spirit
and in our poverty we are rich In
grace; If our charity vaunteth not IT.
self, but suffereth long and is kind
if when our brother asks a loaf we
give ourselves instead; II each day
dawns i'm opportunity and gets in
achievement. however small; ther
every day is Christ's day and Christ
mas is always near.
The whole Christmas story. It seems
to me, together with the whole story
of salvation IS contained in that one
verse. For God so loved the world
that He gave His only begotten Sor
that whosoever believeth on Hin
should not perish but have everlast
ing life" The whole story is here II
a nutshell. God loved the whole world
fnot any particular one or race. HI
gave. This is the Christmas idea c
free gifts. His only begotten son
This was the most priceless gift Coz
could have given. Whosoever. Tha
means each one of us. Should believ
on Him or accept Him. This is tn
only condition of the gift for ever.
gift must be accepted before It &
ours Should have everlasting life. TIL
greatest reward God can give.
Let us all then as a Christmas gif
to Cod, offer our bodies as a reason
able sacrifice for this is the most ac
e ceptable gift that we can make.
Dear Lord, help us to give gift
on this Birthday Of Thy Son that wi
glorify Thy name. Help us 10 Civ
! loving hearts 10 the world and con
O. secrated lives to thee. Make us thank
s full for all the benefits that Thol
( hast given us, and help US make eac
y day a Christmas day by our love 10
s Thee. Amen.
s Christian EndeaVor Notes.
The Wilmington c. f. Union wi
y hold a Watch Service New Years Ev
e in Delaware Avenue Baptist Churcl
s Miss Sophie Preston has the prograi
y in charge and a pleasant time is as
d sured.