Norwich bulletin., 1911-12-25
Christmas Sermons In Local PuIpits The Nativity the General Theme there Being Special
 Music and Appropriate Decorations in the Churches.

dedniteneSs a purified society, resting
 on noble personality that centered
 about dominating person, who is no
 mere human figure. but a diviner pres
 ence, God with in the man To
 him 1t was vision not wholly unrid-
 dled. To ii is a reality of which
 Christmas day bears it's repeated wit
 ness.
 We have a Redeemer and King who
 lays hold of human nature. And He
 is come from God bringing to our hu-
 man problem the fullness of Gods
 grace and truth Through a living per-
 son God revealed Himself. q huma n
 Person identified with our growth and
 struggle. If "a" man is a refuge,
 much more the man. In Jesus
 Isafah's word is come most fully true. But in coming true it has broadened again. Humanity is glorifed by Gods | entrance upon it; Christ's men are summoned to fulfill it's possibilities. The special musical programme was finiy rendered the anthems and offer tory number being sung in sllilful manner.
 First Baptist Church.
 The First Baptist church was pretty | with it's decoration of green Sunday Pine and henlock were extensively used.
 Rev. F, O. Cunningham at the morn i ing service took as his text Luke i: 32. He shall he great. and shall be called 1 Son of the Highest" He said;
 He was great in humility Being equal with God he condescended to | take upon him the form of man that he might lift our humanity into fel- ! lowship with the Father. Mary gave | heroic consent to the angels message i and became the means of fulfilling the | purpose and promise of Jehovah. It | is significant that the evil spirit gave him the same title in Mark VT that the angel here gives him. The alter nation, if we reject his right to the title, Son of the Highest" is appall- ing and robs the world of a Redeem zf-d -ie-Til of Ia ton
 He was great in self-denial and i poverty. Dependent on the ministry of those who loved him for food and a seamless robe he is able to sympa- Thize with the lowliest and poorest of men. He who made the world, lived a homeless life in it. He was great in pity, compassion and gentleness. His treatment of the shining woman; of the tiTnid seeker for truth and blessing; and Of little children clearly reveal this characteristic of his su- perbIy symmetricat and satisfying life. He was great in loyalty to the Father. Hear his say, 'I do always the things that please him." He learned obedi- ence by suffering It kas his meat to do the will of God. What a lesson for us. who so often choose our own ways" He was great in his fidelity to the Scriptures. The story of his temptation shows his estimate of the worth and wealth of the word of God.
  is still careful to exactly fulfil the Scriptures He was great as a teacher Not philosophy aud speculation and meta physical QueStl0nlngS, but simple, sublime, satisfying, spiritual food was his gift to the world The words of Jesus have sLbst~ 1cC. w1ignt and Splr- ituel power. He was great as a work CT of miracles. They seem strange and almost beyond belief till we learn to estimate the resources of & personal ity that could say. Before Abraham was I am.r No condition ever reached the limit of his power He was great in his death. No founder of any other religion ever died as did Jesus. All nature shuddered at the immensity of his sacrifice and the tremendous i'm port of the cross of Calvary His seven words on the cross are unique in history. He was great in his res urrectiOn- One who could burst the bars of death much have been the 1ncarnate Life Raised to be his peo- ple's hope and to bring heart and com fort to the mourners, his is alive for evermore to work out for his purpose. He is great os our high priest. An ever living mediator, he works on in the most stupAndous undertaking of transforming human character and fit ting crude stones from natures quar- ry for place in an eternal temple. He will be great as the King of Kings of the increase of whose government and of peace there shall be no end.
 Mary believed the angels message, and so must we if We are to share the results of his work. It Is still true that faith is imperative if we hope to please God.
 Finely rendered were the special numbers of the choir. the tenor solo, Star of the Fast, being given in fine voice by stephen Peckham.
 Church of the Good Shepherd.
 Under the direction of George A. Keppler, the Church of the Good Shep- herd 6aCOF1tnd in a nTRrtV n- her. Special music was rendered by the choir in a praiseworthy manner, the solo by Miss Mary Rogers being well sung. Che child was baptized.
 Rev. Joseph F. Cobb preached on Christ's Gifts. his text being II. Corin- 1 thians g: 5, Thanks be to God for l His unspeakable gift. He said:
 Our minds naturally turn to gifts | and giving at this time, when it is customary for friends to exchange | gifts, so we may well ask what is the ' unspeak bic gift of which we would | ted by every Christian that Jesus 1 Christ and the revelation of Divine | grace through Him. is the richest gift | that God could bestOW upon men. the | full value of which is truly unspeak- | able, or beyond the power of human | utterauce.
 Consider with me some of the great | blessings of life which comes as Christ's gifts: 1. Contentment T have |
 
 herewith to be cont ent''-Phil f: H. 1 2. Health, A savory health to the na- tions.-Psalm 67: ?. 3. Rest Come unto mo all ye that labor and are heavy laden and l will give you rest Matt. II: 2S. f. Ideals, For the high est, truest and best life, learne of me. .Att. II: %. 5. Strength l can do all things througth Christ, who strengtheneth me.-Phil A. 13 6 Truth, The truth shall make you free. John s. 32- T. Meekness and mercy, l am meee1 and lowly in heart.-Matt II: 20. Blessed are the meek. Blessed ! are the rnercifuL $. Anchorage An anchor of the soul both sure and eadfast.-Heb. G. 19. 9. Salvation In none other than Jesus Christ is there salvation; for there is none oth- CT name under heaven that is given among men, wherein we must be say 4: P.
 As We have briefly reviewed nine of the gifts of the Christ we note that they are contained in the word Christ mas, so that We should all heartily join in saying Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift" as He gave in Christ the Lord, the greatest, highest,