The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-27
REV. R. c. JUD KINs SPEATs
 SUNDAY ON cHkIoa nAs

nue. preached a Christmas sermon Sunday to his congregation. which was very Interesting and impressive.
 The texts were discussed under the following heads: "The Coming of Jesus" His Kingly Reign" and His Reign of Peace,
 In the course of his sermon, he said, in part:
 One of the tenets of Christian belief is that Jesus Christ Is the only begotten Son of God. If Christ was the only begotten Son of God. then His birth was by far the greatest event ever hap pened in the history of man and him- self infinitely greater than the<Ereat- est of men. The most important prom ise to the world was that made to Mary by the angel that she should Dser a son and that His name would be called Jesus. and the most important announcement ever made was that which the angels made to shepnerds, Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior. which Is Christ the Lord
 At the advent of Jesus. Palestine was under Roman rule. Rome was noted for its harsh rule and cruel pun ishment The death sentence was frequently passed and the mode of It's execution was of the most horrible kind. Even Christ the Son of Almighty cod, was not to escape the most damn able oe Roman punishment. If there was the disadvantage in living under Roman rule. there was also the adyant- age. The Roman Government had worked out a system of laws never be- fore known among men, and these laws were introduced into every territory which she governed. So that the Jews could not cruelty Christ without con sent from Pilate, the Roman Governor Again the Roman Government had con nected all of it's principal cities bJ great highways fitted for all kinds or travel. By this means, the missionary of the truth. as it was in Jesus. could travel and tell of all His wondrous works.
 "Tae deep, abiding thought in the mind of the Jews was that God loves our nation, and that all are In pecu- liar sense the objects of His love. Je- sus came to reveal unto men God whose very essence was love, and as such, He was to pervade the lie or man and make Him more shke nus Creator, To this extent the coming Of Jeans was a new era in human thought ana history. It was destined to work n revolution in religious thought and change mans idea of God. Instead or revealing Him as a God of the Jews only. He was to be revealed through Christ as a God of Love, and thus avail ahie to enter the lives of all men and direct in all their affairs.
 "It is great tribute to the Ialtn and intelligence of man that there was in his heart deep, abiding faitn m the coming of Jesus. God promised tbrongh His prophets that He would ssrd. a deliyerer who would liberate man and purge the world of sin, and while the world was rent and torn bv wars. and while nations rose. feli ana prophets sung and died, God's neople held on to that faith tnht deIiverer is coming who will break the power of reigning sin and Tree them from the curse of the law.
 .As we come this blessed Christmas morning to celebrate the nlrtn ot Christ may we be partakers in this worldwide faith that began to grow even before the birth of Christ. And. Enough we may be hard-pressed here ana denied many of the things that shouId f,e common to all. let us believe that in His own time. God will, through Hia Son. make us in all things free neopIe. As we bow this morning over the cradle of the young Jesus, We ceie- brate the birth of the greatest being that ever walked this earth--the great est ReIOrmer that CNci hNoNs pSS~ASS His life was the life of God. The an- gel said unto His mother. and of His Kingdom there shall be no end The general expectation was that Christ would come and free the Jews from their earthly oppressors. end that Palestine would again be a great coun try and the Jews a great and powerful nation.
 such king would not and could not fuifilI the angels promise, Of His Kingdom there shall be no end. His kingdom was to be one In the hearts of men that knew no bounds and that would extend wherever man. Is found. Ills reign was to be one of peace. and moi only was it to result in worldwide peace. but 1t was meant to bring peace to every individual, men and women; and in every heart where He dweils there Is peace. Peace with God. peace with man, peace in the home and peace in the community. Not only did He come to bring peace, but to bring life. T am come (said He) that they might have life. and that they might have II more abundantly.' You need not cut that. rose bush down in order to de- stroy the rose. Just shut it in from the light of the sun, and 1t loses It's beauty and fragrance. If you want your life sweetened and deepened and broadened. open your hearts and minds that Jesus may enter and He will sweeten your life and enoble your character"