The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1909-12-22
cHRIsTMAs-TIDE.

many occasions, tears are mingled
with the paeans Of JOY. Why this
IS so seems part OF the great scheme.
With all true Christians. the momen-
tous significance OF the time is that
II is commemorated as the birth-date
of our Saviour. At this point, chro-
biological history has differed widely,
even when based upon exact biblical
data. It is generally understood,
however, that the 18th day Of De-
cember Of our Julian calendar does
not materially miss the period Of
the nativity-that TRANSFER dant epoch
in all the worlds history. Be this
as it may, all nations observe it as
so, and this, we may all reasonably
conjecture, is lovingly accepted by
the Only Great Soul and Mind, in
our homage to Him.
The rejoicing over the great event
at the lowly inn was general and even
included the heavenly hosts. For it.
was inaugurating a period not before
generally accepted by man, either in
Shirt or in fact-"Peace on earth;
good will to men" 1t was some
thing rather new TO man, both in the
DRY and practice. Up to that time he
had entertained rather vague ideas Of
peace as an abstract problem or eter-
nal proposition. 1t had presented a
more or less impracticable or mythica
proportion. But good will TO men"
made the sentence and the sentiment
complete. And so it has stood until
the present day, even as it shall
continue to stand as the loving prom
Use of an omnipotent God.
The joy OF the occasion is the whole
Of il, the all-absorbing sentiment Thi
Joy is not only praiseworthy but con-
tag!ous. We all feel the blessed spir-
II Of the occasion which pervades ey-
cry heart. We all feel more lovingly
emotional and benevolent towards
each other as the day grows nigh. We
all feel the JOY Of living. And yet
All? Aye, no-not all. For the
day comes at period Of the year who
on account of the season, much hui
man misery is prevalent. The widow
who knows no succoring hand, The
waif who is perforce made an outcast
by unfortunate circumstances, the
blast-driyen and homeless, the people
OF many classes and conditions whom
fate has dealt harshly with and who
know little of the joy revealed in
other lives, often see little differences
between Christmas time and any 9TH
err season 70 the year With some their
misery is made more poignant by the
contrast of conditions which they feel,
as they compare their own unhappy
lot with that of their more fortu-
nate fellows. But this is the way
Of the world and it would be so if we
Il lrfa
ye have always with you" said The
Bethlehem Babe, then grown to man
hood. And by the poor" he meant
those who seem destined by an in
scrutible fate, albeit a holy decree,
to walk the INDECENT paths of life.
But If poor, should we grieve? If
unfortunate, should we constantly
mourn? For was not the Babe poor,
SO far as concerns worldly wealth,
from the day OF his birth until the
miserable but triumphant hour OF his
death? What worldly fortune at
tended him during the brief period
OF his earthly career, as we esteem
II? What did he own besides the
clothes he wore? What few per-
sons were kind and good to him? BY
whose will of earthly estate did he
profit? Could you imagine one more
Justified in claiming that life is a
failure and everybody an migrate,
than the young man of Bethlehem
birth? He had every reason to COM
nlsin of lies yicissitpavs and dngra-