The Idaho recorder., 1922-12-29
CHRISTMAS SERMON
REV. z T. VINCENT

The thoughts of the Christian world
turn today to Bethlehem. 1t is true
that the Cross no longer holds politi-
cal sway there. The Mohammedan
crescent and star reign over the Holy
Land, and the Christian is there by
sufferance of the Moslem. To what
extent America is responsible for
present day conditions | cannot say.
1t may be that we have neglected an
opportunity for world service-Mos-
lem as well as Christian.
For a small and comparatively in
significant village, Bethlehem has had
a part in much of the history of Isra-
ell. There Rachel died when Benjamin
was born, and lamentations of Jacob
and his sons resounded in the stiffness.
There Samuel came TO anoint the rud-
dy youth David to be King over all
Israel. 1t was David's home, and in his
age the thought of Bethlehem remain
ed a beautiful dream. 1t was known
throughout the land as the City of
David. From Bethlehem went Mao
mi and Ruth, to find in an alien land
surcease from their distresses. But
as eXiles sorrow still remained with
them, and to Bethlehem they return
ed, Ruth to find in marriage with Bo-
az another home. And in Gods good
time, another event made Bethlehem
an unforgettable name, for as was
prophesied in days of old, "But thou,
Bethlehem Ephratah, which art lit
tie to be among the thousands of Ju-
dah, out of thee shall come forth unto
Me that is to be ruler in Israel; Whose
goings forth are from old, from ever
lasting"
"Now it came to pass in those days,
there went out decree from Caesar
Augustus, that all the world should
be enrolled. This was the first enrol
ment made when Quirinius was gov
ernor of Syria. And all went to enrol
themselves, every one to his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee,
out of the city of Nazareth, into Ju-
dea, to the city of David, which is call
ed Bethlehem, because he was of the
house and family of David; 10 enrol
himself with Mary, who was betroth-
ed to him, being great with child.
And it came to pass, while they were
there, the days were fulfilled that she
should be delivered. And she brought
forth her first born son; and she
wrapped Him in swaddling clothes,
and laid Him in manager, because
there was no room for them in the inn
'And there were shepherds in the
same country abiding in the field, and
keeping watch by night over their
flock. And an angel of the Lord stood
by them, and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them; and they
were sore afraid. And the angel said
unto them, BE not afraid; for behold,
| bring you good tidings of great joy
which shall be to all the people: for
city of David Saviour, Who is Christ
the Lord And this is the sign unto
you: Ye shall find babe wrapped in
swaddling clothes, and lying in man
ger. And suddenly there was with
the angel a multitude of the heaven
~ host praising God, and saying,
GLORY to God in the highest"
Sometimes it all seems so far away
SO much a part of some fantastic
thing, such as sreamers love to dream
about. What has this hard, practical,
bread existence to do with
shepherds, visions and angels songs
In near by Jerusalem, the High
Priest and the great in the city, the
merchants, the stolid city dwellers
were wrapped in slumber, or they
planned how to increase their wealth,
or gloated over their profits. Yet it
was the most illustri0uS nigh in the
worlds history since the morning
stars sang together and the sons of
God shouted for JOY. For the angels
song told Of the keeping of the prom
ises of God-told of His unforgetting
love, and of the child Who was En-
manuel-"God with u.s." In the man.
ger there at Bethlehem, the wide Won
dering eyes gazing into the adoring
ones above Him, lay the hope of the
world.
What has mythical Santa Claus
the holly and mistletoe-the Iule
log of our forefathers-the hurrying,
scurrying last minute wild scramble
for a gift for some forgotten acquain-
tance-what can these things offer US,
when we forget the Babe in Bethle-
hem?
merry Christmas" we say. Why
merry? And Christmas-the Christ
Mass, the celebration of the birth of
the Son of God-shall it be to US who
bear His name, only time for ner-
ry-making, forgetful of Him? The
setting apart of a day for eXtrav-
agant pleasures and entertainment
for Incorporate eating and drinking
is this the celebration of the birth
day of the Messiah?
The degradation of holy days into
mere holidays-forgetfu of the mean
ing of the word-has become serious
factor in spiritual life of the Ameri-
can people. Thanksgiving Day, in
stead of being a day for the giving OF
thanks for the mercies of God, has
become Turkey Day." Easter Day,
instead of the celebration of the Res
direction, has become the time OF DIS
play of new millinery, and OF fasnlon