Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-26

| rate today had been prehguFed by tn
sacred rites and ceremonies of tn
ancient covenant between God an
man. The history OF the world IA,
converged to this event under tho di
recting guidance OF Gods providence
All ages, even those among whom
the light Of revelation had becom
obscured in the lapse OF ages, locke,
forward to the coming of a new era
They hailed from afar the COMING
Of the son OF justice whose rays wert
TO illumine all mankind and to warm
into new life and vigor the dorman,
energies of souls stepped in ignorance
and sin.
Man had not become entirely OBJ
livious of his high dignity as G
creature of God. Natural reason still
proclaimed that truth and no depth
of degradation had been able wholly
to obliterate 1t. The pagan phi
losopher and moralist, the poet and
the sybil, had attuned their minds
to the celestial harmony which was
to break forth in the exultant chorus
Of praise sung by the heavenly choirs
at the birthplace Of Him who was
TO redeem mankind.
World Prepared.
The spirit OF God had breathed on
the chaos of human turbulence and
passion and a period of tranquility
unaccustomed among men betokened
the approach of the Prince of Peace
For this event, Athens had perfected
her genius, for this Rome had ex-
ercised her imperial sway of civill-
zation, for this had Judea retained
her traditions handed down from age
to age, Of the Messias by whom the
face OF the earth was to be renewed.
In the fulness Of time the mystery
was accomplished. The angel had
been sent to the Virgin Mary to an
to be the Mother of the Incarnate
God. Her consent had been spoken.
The heavens had bowed down 10 the
lowliness of mans estate. The In
carnation of the Divine Word had
been effected by the infinite power
of God. And at length on the first
Christmas day, the Son of God ap-
peared among men. The earth be-
came the visible habltations Of its
Creator and Lord. Christ was born.
HE is truly God and truly man.
He is the bond of union between
heaven and earth, between God and
man, He Is the restorer Of grace and
salvation. He is the prophet, priest,
nd king of mankind. He is the way,
he truth and the life for all human
,eings. He is the supreme teacher,
'aviour and lawgiver OF the whole
human race. Today we commence
ate His birth, and, acknowledging
he depth of the inscrutable wisdom
nd knowledge OF God, we bow down
,efore the Infant Saviour with seuti-
nents of profound alteration, love, !
-ratutude and Joy.
Our natural tendency on an oc- |
aston such as this is to give loose |
Elm to the more tender feelings OF !
Election and sympathetic devotion |
owards the Divine Child and His |
'irgin Mother as they appear before |
s under the protecting solicitude Of |
it. Joseph. The scene at Bethlehem |
ppeals to the mystic cords Of |
memory that bind us to the happy !
ecollections of childhood. Then |
Il the world seemed bright and |
air in the light that streamed forth |
rom the birthplace Of the Infant |
esus.
There rested the living emblem Of
innocence IN the feeble form OF a
Mid appealing to our compassion |
nd love. To dwell even In memory |
n those joyous days is to renew ones .
outh like the eagle and 20 feel again |
he glow OF gladness that made our !
learts burn within US as we gazed |
n silent rapture OH the sight Of the !
nfant Saviour who is Christ the !
ord.
A stern Reality,
But it is we'll for us to recall today
hat stern reality ls hidden beneath
ne semblance of poetic beauty and
he charms Of fancy with which in
hildhood We were want to embellish
ae birthplace Of Christ. 1t Is not rs
subject OF tender sentiment that
'e are chiefly to regard the event
'hich we commemorate today. In an
ge when the pressure of material
lterests is crushing out in many
linds and hearts the fervent faith
nd loving loyalty to Christ which
hristmas is intended to revive or
lther TO ian. into a fame, Of ardent
eviction and eager zeal for the honor
nd glory of the Saviour OF men, IL is
Use for us in a spirit OF calm and
Jber reflection TO concentrate our
ttention on the essential fact which
his festival of Christmas commern-
rates.
This sublime fact is that God the
lmighty Creator OF the world, the
ll-just Judge to whom we must all
ome day render an account of our
irthly stewardship, has personally
Isited His people, that God Himself
as appeared yisibly among men to
.ach. sanctify and save them. In
le person OF Jesus Christ, He calls
pom all men and women in all parts
the world to acknowledge Him as
ord and God. whom to know Is to
lore, love and serve. He whose
rth we celebrate today is not only
ie best friend and benefactor Of the
1man race, not only worthy Of rev
'imself who has deigned to come
nong rs to seek and save MS. TO hO
IT teacher. guide and model. In
turn Tor His mercy and goodness to
8 He demands our unqualified
7edience and fidelity, not as a mat
r Of affectionate gratitude alone.
ut as duty We cannot ignore with
II neril to our eternal salvation.
Christ the Incarnate God, Is to be
le object of our alteration, the
1urce Of our confidence, the recip-
mt OF our love in every situation
nd station in life. His doctrines
receipts. and means Of salvation are
paramount Importance to the true
appiness Of every Individual and to
ne true and genuine prosperity Of
ne community. In private and pub.
c life, in the home and In the school,
I the workshop or in the emporiums
commerce, wherever human beings
xercise intelligence and freedom in
he performance OF duty. IL Is always
rue that this is eternal life TO know,
0 love, to serve, and to obey the
Divine Son OF God, Jesus Christ Our
ord.
An UnchTistiaD Era
In these days, when so many are |
.bsorbed In the eager pursuit of |
Measures, honors and riches Of this |
world, there is tendency to forget |