The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1924-12-25
HUTTON

In our narrative last week we be-
held one of the most brilliant specta-
Giles known to man, as the simplicity
of the shepherds call is quite unpar-
alleled in the various beautiful por-
trayals of sacred writings. And so
in giving precedence to the transpir-
ing scene we will hasten out into the
open country, past the olive groves
unto the great highways where yet a
much more significant incident oc-
Cured:
The night is dark and the threat
ening storm seems ever ready to loose
it's fastenings. The pale wane light
of moon and stars scarcely, if at all,
penetrates the billowly clouds of SOM
Der hue that heave and toss like tenn
pestuous waves on ocean deep. I'm
fortunate, surely, the wayfarer on
nigt like this. But what, methinks,
that in less than the twinkle of an
eye these things can change? Ad-
monished by the angels song of peace
on earth even the laws of nature obey
appeased as by the command of the
angelic heralds, the wind ceases to
moan and the earth in acquiencence
assumes a tranquility of peace. From
out the vauited darkness a beacon
light of luminous brightness appears,
advancing steadily before a royal cor
tege that follows whittier. it leads.
We recognize at once by their habil-
iments that they are not Israelites.
but a nobility caste of distant en-
pires, known to the world later as
Balthazar, Melchoir and Kaspar, the
wise men of the east.
A few weeks ago the writer had
the pleasure of witnessing a repro
| duction of such scenic grandeur as is
found only in the Orient, making
thereby a much wider range of Wis
ion than could otherwise be possible
through the innovation of our mod
ern moving pictures. While the
| changing scenes passed before the
eyes something of an impelling ma
ture seemed to fascinate with an If
resistible charm until our very senses
seemed to perceive a most delightful
aroma as that of burning incense or
some other mystical odor pervading
the atmosphere, rendering no doubt
likable reality of the native country
OF the far-famed wise men. | would
have you believe that their soft cling
ing garments of rich and beautiful
texture exhaled a sweet delicate odor
that reminded one of tropical flowers,
sunshine and happiness.
"And the star which they had seen
in the east, went before them, until
it came and stood over where the
child lay" Man-like, they brought
gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh,
to interpret the greater meaning of
love that had arisen in their hearts,
as mere words would be quite incapa-
BILE of so doing. And from this very
| thoughtful act originated the beauti-
full custom of Christmas giving that
is truly more pronounced today than
ever, And it was well that they had
done so, for they were so overpow-
cred with JOY that their lips refused
to give utterance to. their words of
expression that had sprung up in
their hearts-another humanely char
acteristic of the manner and way Of
men.
| intoxicated, as it were, with joy,
they sink to their knees in ecstacy as
the sweet and gentle mother tenderly
removes the coverlet and at last they
behold the dear little Babe of Beth
lehem, King of Kings and the fairest
among men before whom the very
angels veil their faces. 0, happy men!
No wonder that your hearts filled to
overlooking upon beholding the Mes
siah. Henceforth earthly pleasures
will appear as mist before the sun.
Having found him through the guild
ance of a celestial meteor you shall
nevermore be satisfied until by the
light of faith you shall rest forever
on His bosom in the house not made
by hands, eternal in the heavens.
There in the resplendence of His
glory He emits rays of brightness
over the earth and into the hearts of
those who love Him. In truth is He
not the light of the world?
May your Christmas be as bright
as the Singing star that led the
wise men in their pursuit of happi-