The Press., 1914-12-23
Christmas Sermon In Words
 of One Syllable.

An innovation in sermons was the one delivered by the Rev. A. Smyths Palmer, M. A., D. D., vicar of Holy Trim ity church, Wanstead, England, on the birth of Christ. This sermon is en- tirely in words of one syllable.
 TIT k speaks the mind of God
 who tells us and would have
 us know what God thinks, for
 if it were not for him we c0uld not know at all. God did so love the world that he gave his own, one Son, to be born at this time for us, to the end that all who trust ill him should not die, but have the life which lasts for aye" He came and ''dwelt with us' on earth that men might see with their own eyes at least one pure life, lived free from sin. He was made flesh of our hesh'' and "bone of our bone." God with us" ill truth. but man no less, true man and true Coda child like one of our own. That is the strange thing, so deep that no man. wise as he may be, can quite take it in. de was to be God with us.'' but at the same time "a worm and no man. less than man ill the grief and pain and scorn which he bore.
 The texts take our thoughts back to the birth of this day. IL is a birthday for the whole world to keep. All men can say: "'TO us this child is born; to us God gave this son of his love. have my share in it. And so we are all glad of heart and make our church gay with plants and flowers and sing our hymns of joy and keep the feast with gifts and good fare. It is the birth day of all our hopes. Now, it was good news of great joy that the host from on high brought to the herds who kept watch on their sheep in the fields And it is still so. For us, as much as for them. was born ill that small town one strong to save (Which is Christ the Lord"
 It is old news now, and fear it falls on our dull, cold hearts like some old tale of long past time which has lost it's charm. Oh. let us not shut our ears to it aS some of those first men did. When he came to his own his own would not take him in. They said "There is no room for him here"-nO room in the inn when he came to it. It was not an inn. you must know, like one of ours. but q mere bare court where those on the road might rest-a ''khnn" they call it in the east.
 Does it not seem to us q sad and a strange sight that q young babe should be shut out in the cold night-GOd in want of house room? A poor place. at best. as rude and rough as we can well think, and, such as 1t was. quite full with the crowd who had come first The host of the inn sends them off He tells them there is q cave at the back of the inn where the beasts are kept; they may find rest there. if they will. That cave, where the birth of all time took place, is still shown in the rock. X great church built there marks the spot. Then, poor, mean and cold, it was the best place he could find to lay his head.
 ''The fox has his hole and the bird of the air her nest, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head" So, in that cave in the rock, the stall of the OK and the ass, ill the crib out of which they ate their hay, the newborn babe "do JuSL LulIIh "udl dII IIllS means-GOd made flesh God born as man ill this world of ours. that he might find way to bring back man to God! He hid his might and men hitl their face from him. None but the herds who kept their sheep saw or knew of it till they fell to the ground !n great blaze of light, and host of bright ones in the sky sang such a song as no choir on earth has sung, which gave praise to God on high. and on earth peace, good will to men," Those herds had faith to go and seek the child of whom they were told. They found him in the crib, and they saw more than their eyes could see. They knew that in that weak child was the power of God to save. And so these good men. when they had how'd down. went back to their flock, struck with awe. and gave praise to God for all they had heard and seen."
 Shall we do less? Shall we not. too, gc home and give thanks on our part, with joy for what we have heard? And in all our joy let us find room for the one guest who should not be left out room in our hearts for him whose word is life.