The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-12-23
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20. 1911.
BACK TO BETHLEHEM.


An obscure little village In Judea man
ger in which new born baby lay. while bend
ing above in all the abandonment OF
found love stood the proud and Joyous parents
this was the scene nearly twenty centuries
ago when He whose birthday commemorate
at this time was born. II was very humble
circumstance and. apart from the shepherds
whose hearts ravished by the glory they
beheld above the Judean plains the wise
who followed the star from afar that they
might pay their tributes to Him whose divine
origin and mission their spiritual vision enabled
them to discern and a few devout souls who
recognized In this new life the gift OF Gods
grace. the advent Of this child was unrecog-
nixed and unhonored.
1t is very different today Christmas today
claims q worldwide observance. lts celebra-
ton has passed beyond the limits OF mere 10
cality and has commanded a universal charac-
ter. In every cline and among every class
throughout the world men are. according to the
custom OF their country and after the fashion
determined by their hearts. observing the
that has for the centuries been haliowed
by His birth.
The merely superficial observer however will
recognize vastly different spirit in the Gus
tomary celebration OF the modern Christmas
and that which marked its recognition in
Bethlehem in the long ego, The first Christ
morn characterized by devout re-
49, grAx u$oA
upon the mystery OF Gods glory and grace IN
the gift OF His Son The modern Christmas
Ia conspicuous for it's spirit of reveiry among
the multitudes who have care for either
the glory the grace OF God.
That first Christmas morn greeted men whose
that had come In the vision Of the angelic hosts
and in the sound OF the heavenly song; men
found themselves unable to utter the JOY and
glory that surged in their souls as they reInem-
bered the revelation that had come to them
from the skies. The modern Christmas day Is
filled with the sensual excuses and material
pleasures that they seek whose hearts
strangers to the wonderful inspirations and
hopes that find their origin in the divine re-
yelation and have their source in fellowship
with the eternal and infinite God
Yet the real significance OF the Christmas
time abides In the minds and hearts OF those
who have eyes still to behold the glory of God
and ears still to hear the matchless music OF
His grace. For multitudes Christmas is still
The birthday OF the Christ. From Bethlehem
still issue streams of grace and as the day
OF His advent dawns, devout souls will find
a holy gadness in the hope that His coming
has brought to understanding hearts
In on words has the deeper meaning of
Christmas been more beautifully uttered than
in those lines of the great Phillips Brooks,
'sThis is the message TO mortals revealed
When the slvery trumpets Of Christmas have
realed
That mankind are the children OF God
While the needless crowds are rushing 10
their pursuit of earthly joys and rewards others
will pause awhile this Christmas In holy awe
and devout reverence before the cradle of the
Christ, and their eyes will again behold the
glory that broke upon the vision Of the humble
shepherds and their ears VIII hear again the
song of the angels: GLORY to God in the high
est and on earth peace. good will toward
men
TILE LESSON FROM LEE.
Not much bordering the situation In Lee