Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-12-25
A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE
By Rev. j. j. jacobson

/ Luke 2:i0; Pear Not for l bring you It'd
/ ings of great joy" Christmas is here-the
season radiant with cheer and peaceful of
| the presence Of jOy-the time for hearty greet
| ings. happy wishes and loving gifts. II holds
out too all Of us the most blessed of hopes
| "All people, every nation,
| Shall hear the tidings glad:
| Good news of joy, far greater
| Than any ever had.
| From east TO western waters,
| From south to northern pole,
I Wherever in the wide world
| There dwe,is a human soul"
Let Co.'S word answer While men ~ We're W." Yst
| his enemies: God loved the world that he
gave his only begotten son, that whatsoever
| belieyeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting iife.'' Hence the spirit of Good
Will" and greetings of cheer sprung first from
| the eternal depths of Gods Astounding love.
| Then the Christmas message; We may with
| the shepherds at Bethlehem's manager behold
| the fulfllment Of Gods promises, and be warn-
! ed and touched by the kindness and love that
breathes through these words: Peace earth /:
good will to men,"
God has seen our plight. knew aar needs
and supplied the remedy. We were sinners;
needed grace, which Jesus Christ bounti-
| fully provided. God has come TO live with Us.
| come 20 from sin and shame. Bat
alas. now, as N days gone by. We so easily be-
| come proud and seif-suffcient. God has late
| ly and is even now moving in mysterious ways
and speaking in serious tones. He Fcsisteth
I the proud but giveth grace TO the humble.
Just now he wants 10 make ready for and
receptive of Christmas cheer. But real Christ
mas cheer becomes our true portion when
/ CT list is permittedS to enter our lives as a
real personal Savior. Because
! ''Tis not enough that Christ was born
| Beneath the star that shown.
And earth was set that glorious morn
| Within that golden zone
4 He must be born within
Before he finds his throne.
/ And brings the day Of love and good
/ The reign: Salvation by His blood"
Only thus through Christ may we reach the
: eternal heights of Gods glory and peace.
4 This is however peculiar Christmas season.
/ The "hr" is closing church doors for US.
With all our powers of science w stand yet
/ baihed. The danger Of 'fu" contagi0n keeps
| us out of and away from the house Of worship,
| where God has promised us. his especial bless
ing. But remember. such is aIso the power of
I sin. tts eOntegion would forever close for us
| the doors Of the eternal Temple. Therefore.
Christ, as the great physician of the ages,
| came that he might cure US from this disease
| and lift the bars of sin barring US from fell
7 lowship with God. And now, as a result of
/ his birth, obedience, suffering and DEATH the
phalanx Of sin is broken and routed. For the
sinner saved by grace, the powers of sin no
! longer have any sway. Christ says: let not
I your hearts be troubled; ye believe in God,
many mansions-I go to prepare you a place"
| s'ko wonder Heavens glory
FLASHED forth that Christmas night;
No wonder singing angels
Sped down a pathway bright.
! Fer God, whose loving kindness
Is great and full and free,
Spoke through them to all the people,
! The shepherds, you and me"
/ Therefore those Of who take Gods mes
/ sage through Jesus by faith into lives,
can truly rejoice also this Christmas season
despite sickness, sorrow and death. May the
words sung in swelling angel harmony cheer
and warm our hearts. Then shall We all enjoy
a truly Merry Christmas. With these thoughts
as the burden Of ny brief message. ] would
extend 10 you all this seasons greeting: Glory
TO God in the highest, and earth peace,
good viii toward men. Amen