The Washington herald., 1922-10-01
Birth of Christ Greatest of
All Time, Says Mr.. Bryan
His Is Only Universally Observed Anniversary
In World, Commoner Points Out
In Sermon.

OF the birth OF Jesus.
1t is the chapter that tells of the
good tidings of great joy brought
to the shepherds keeping watch over
their flock by night.
1t is the chapter that records the
most beautiful hymn of praise
angels and men have ever sung:
GLORY to God in the highest. and
on earth peace, good will toward
men,"
And it is the chapter that records
what we know of a certainty of
Christ's childhood.
Only Universally Observed Birth
day.
1t is with His childhood that our
Talk today deals. but His entrance
into life upon earth is too import
ant to pass over in silence. His
is the only birthday widely cele-
brated throughout the civilized
world.
Each nation has its great char
acters to whom succeeding genera
tions pay homage. In this country
we have the birthday of Wash
ington, the Father of His Country.
He has been dead but a little
more than a century and yet but
a small part of the nations popu-
lation observes the day set apart
by statute in remembrance of his
services.
Many cease from ordinary work
because 1t is a holiday, but COM
paratively few give serious thought
to the virtues and accomplishment
of the Father of His Country.
Lincoln's birthday is also a ma
tionaI holiday and yet still
smaller number observe II in the
spirit which prompted the passage
OF the law Lincoln was the great
est of Republicans as Jefferson was
the greatest of Democrats, and
vet while these names are invoked
in campaigns for political purposes
the birthdays of these two great
statesmen attract little attention.
Even the Fourth of July, the
birthday Of the nation, is given
over to amusement rather than to
sober reflection on the nations past
struggles. its present problems and
it's future greatness.
Time Computed from His Birth.
Eut Christ's birthday is looked
forward to by the children through
ont the Christian world-not by the
children of Christians alone but by
the children of unbelievers as well.
No other babe has ever brought so
much joy into the world.
And since the Child of Nazareth
Set on it thus His seal and sign.
Who-tiH mans sin hath marred
it-saith
That childhood is not still di-
vine?"
We compute time from His ad-
vent-the Christian era starts with
His birth. Is il not strange that
any should speak disrespectfully OF
One who has so profoundly i'm
pressed the world? II is more than
strange-it is amaZing-that some
children to whom Christmas was
once the great day of the year
should. even before they reach ma
turity. begin to speak lightly or
One at whose coming the angels
sang the song Of peace on earth,
good will to men: whose star led
the wise men to the manger at
Bethlehem.
Jesus Humble Birth.
The fact that He was sent into
humble home and surrounded in His
youth bv everyday people Is not
without significance
Mans birth, 50 far as he is con-
cerned. is matter chance. lie
is not consulted as to the age in
which he shall be born or as to the
nation or race or the family. Be
cause man is thus the child OF
chance. both as to his birth and as
to h : going hence. ne has never
been able to solve the riddle OF life
without revelation.
1; is only when he learns that he
was created. not as other things
twers made but in the image OF God
put in charGe of all the earth and
made responsible for the wise use
Of every moment of his l.fe, every
atom Of his power and every ounce
of his influence. that he is able to
account for his presence here.
Christ. coming into the world
with heavenly mission. becomes
the Il vinely conceived child of
virgin mother and spends His
youth among the plain folk of Naz-
arrth. lie was 10 present simple
gospel to which the common people
would listen gladly and appeal to
the mass Of mankind. In what
other environment could He have
passed from infancy TO the days of
His min stry:
Christ in the Temple.
And the child grew and waxed
strong in spirit. filled with wisdom;
and the grace Of God was upon
Him
At the ace Of IL He went with
II parents to Jerusalem to the
Feast Of the Passover. day which
the children Of Israel observed for
nearly twenty centuries.
When the parents started back
home Jesus tarried behind in Je-
rusaIem. As there was quite
company of these devout Jews re-
turning together. the absence of She
child was not noticed until the end
"f a days journey when they
sought Him among the kinfolk and
acquaintances.
As soon as they found that He
was not with them they hurried
back to Jerusalem and after three
days found Him in the temple,
sitting in the midst of the doctors,
both hearing them and asking them
quest Ons." Luke tells us that all
that heard Him were amazed at His
understanding and His answers.
His parents were astOnished at
what they saw and the mother, re-
membering with what alarm they
had searched for Him. chided Him
FOR causing them SO much anxiety.
The answer made by Jesus showed
at what an early age He entered
upon the serious business of His
life:
"Wist ye not that I must be about
my Fathers business"