Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-26

Christmas morning in Christ Epis- eopal church brought a beautiful mu- sieal service under the direction of William F. Habekotte and an inspiring 1 sermon by the rector, Rev. Richard R. 2; 16. There was a large congrega- ton.
 The Origin of Our Thoughts. Our thoughts today. Rev. MT. Gra- ham said. however much they may rightly and naturally be with the so- l cial festivities of the day, or the wider sense of our brotherhood with all mankind that Christmas in a measure helps us to realize, have in truth their origin and center in that Child who. as at this time. was born in the stable. and cradled in the man ger.
 As we try to picture to ourselves the scene so simply and beautifully de- scribed for us by St. Luke, what are the thoughts suggested? Just as the shepherds with the glory of the angelic vision still before their. eyes, with the heavenly song of peace and good will still ringing in their ears. could not look upon that Child, though his sur~ roundings were lowly. nay, even sor- did, without awe and wonder, so we,
 
 picture. cannot but allow our belief as to what this Infant truly was, and our knowledge of what He in after life achieved effecting us.
 That the story of the Nativity has had a wonderful power is not to be denied or questioned. What are the two pictorial representations of the Christ with which we are most familiar and which have most aroused the re- igious emotions of mankind? Here perhaps we have to lay aside some prejudices and think of these things at their best. From the time when St. Paul "placarded Christ crucified" be- fore the eyes of the Galatians me pie ture of the dying Saviour has never failed to draw men to Him who was thus lifted up. But the innunerable pictures of the Mother and Child make their appeal to us also, and this not simply on account of their artistic beauty. but because they touch real demand of our religious nature.
 The Appeal of Weakness.
 Browning, in his Saul, shows that the supreme appeal of the Christ is that in Him we see weakness in strength, and so God the all powerful IS brought into close touch with man in his weakness. The recognition of the force, or at least the appeal of weakness, has been one of the greatest achievem ents of Christianity. Com pare the very highest type of old world pagan character with even ordinary, average Christian ideals and you will see where the difference lies. The old pagan world produced men of splendid virtues in many directions, but they would have regarded pity for and sympathy with weakness as 8 sign of weakness in themselves and so a thing to be avoided. But, in spite of the fact that Christendom is so little influenced Inv of pFiG st 9 c message of peace and good will, we acknowledge the claim that weakness, and suffering, and helplessness have upon us. Why is it that the ordinary Christian will be touched to the heart by some tale of helpless suffering to which the pagan world would have lis tened unmoved but that the story of the Christ Child has entered deep into our religious convictions? i;
 The True Superman.
 Faith hope and charity, and, above all, humility, are distinctly Christian virtues. and whenever any of these appeal to you wherever you see them manifesting themselves amid all that is so un-Chrfstlike in life, recognize that they have their source and origin in the story of the Nativity, and the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth; that is because we can pay our homage to the Babe of Bethlehem, that we can 1eSl the appear or W6aAn6SSJ the power that apparent helplessness possesses. And nowadays when a philosophy of life, derived from the wild outpour- ings of a half crazed man of undoubt- ed if somewhat degenerate genius are being disseminated by saner and more popular followers which would teach us that these Christian virtues are in- deed more harmful than any vice; that pity sympathy and such like must be absolutely exterpated if man kind would advance to higher things, 1t is all the more necessary that we who believe in the Christ ideal; who see in Him the true Supernan, should try to enter into and appreciate the significance of this celebration of the birth of a Child who when He was grown to manhood was the despised and rejected of men: one who had no beauty that we should desire Him, yet who through the greatness of His, suf- ferings has come to be recognized as the Saviour of all mankind.