By Tie Rev, Pariten KENNELLY, 8.1.
Christmas Chimes, how sweet, Wie' fpence en our the" the" ang watt God our hearts.
'Ana' Chtistian love to all do' bring.
'The coming of Christ was the central point towards which all acts of God's government were directed, int in the fulness of time the mys: {ery became an accomplished fact. Tu' the early days of the world's story, God" chose the Hebrew nation, and renewed to them the promise of the Redeemer. Placed on the. confines' of Europe and Asia, they served vas a on to the! Gentile, world, God constantly watched over them, maintaining this Daut intact, and manifesting it both to East and West.
Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome rose among nations, be ame centres of power and eivilization, and in the view of God prepared the way for the great event, 'Above all, the Roman Empire, which extended its sway to most of the Known world. Rome inherited from Greece much' of her philosophy, her Iiterature and her arts, and added thereto the science of jurisprudence and law. Her. legions gave her military leadership, and quelled rival wars within the empire. Through her laws and customs, her language and Iiterature, she - established Political and legislative unity within the nations submitting to her sceptre, thus" making for peace, the peace which "God desired for the accom-Plishment of the mystery.
The Prince of Peace appears at Bethlehem.
"And thou, Bethlehem, the land of Judo, art not the least among the Tue Rev. Farr KENNELLY, 8.2. princes of Judo, for out of thee shall the captain that shal rule Israel" (Micheas V. 2). Such was the prophetic forecast made as to the place where the Messiah was to appear. Cesar Augustus ordains a census of the inhabitants to be made in all parts of the empire, and this helps to fulfill the prophecy. The world, being at peace, the "Prince of Peace" appears at Bethlehem. Tt is under this'aspect that the angels announce the great event to the shepherds, "peace on earth to men of good-will" (Luke If, 14) All expectations are now fulfilled the Redeemer has appeared, and lives among men. 2
The mystery takes place far from the "maddening crowd," too egotistical to perceive its sublime significance. The Redeemer is born in the midst of "the night in. abandoned corner" of the city. Around him no courtiers, no worldly pomp, but the princes of the Heaven Host announce the event to the shepherds of the plain, and. thes fare the first to adore him. Let us 0. over to Bethlehem, and sco the marvels of the Lord. What charming simplicity in this great act, and what promptitude to obey the call the Master! Meanwhile a star appears in the East, and summons to the feet of the Divine Child the Tearnéd and. the powerful. of the earth. Arriving in. his presence they offer the most precious gifts of their country-—rold, frankincense and myrrh, and like' the. shepherds {adore the hidden Godhead. Despite the "silence which surrounds the event, there "is sublime grandeur, power and majesty unparalleled in the birth of any prince of the earth, Through the Ages The mystery was early celebrated by the Christian Church, and it may be said no other festival has been s0 popular, Throughout the West especially it assumed a threefold spect, religious, social and domestic. The religious side is beautifully described by Seo!
"On Christmas Eve the tells. were Baw the steed priest the" chalk only night in at! the year, {All Ralled_with, uncontrolled. delight, And general voice the happy mighty Thae To the cottage as the crown, Brought tidings of salvation down."
The Reformation suppressed the mass in Protestant countries, and reduced divine worship to preaching and singing, a human element set up in place of the Divine. The Croat sacrifice of the New Law, the "Mass of the Christ" disappeared, Christmas for the Protestant is henceforth a misnomer, but is a living reality for the Catholic, who still sees the "stoled priest" ascend the altar, -and offer the midnight mass. For him, itis the real Christ mas, and the "happy night" among all the nights of the year.
The social and family sides of the feast were, however, maintained in Old England, and throughout Seotland and Ireland. The yule-log} burned in the castle and the cottage, and the mistletoe, entwined with Ivy and holly wreaths, adorned the doorposts. and windows. Within, there was merry cheer, and many a hearty tale provoked the mirth of tends to become superstition. old and young. Without, there were sports and gambols. Quoting Scott again:
"England was Merry England, when Old Christmas brought his. "sports Was Christmas broached the might-Test ale, "Twat Christmas told the merriest A christmas gambet oft could chee The poor man's heart through half the" year Christmas in the East Traditions and memories of the past linger in our minds, and follow tus to the East. We are dominated by home influences, and endeavour to celebrate Christmas as in the homeland. Churches and houses are dee-rated, and where the holly and ixy fail, the graceful bamboo lends to the scene a touch of Oriental charm. Christmas cards are sent to old friends, and expected from the new comer.' There is good cheer around the hearth, and a social holiday and picnic follow on Boxing Day. The feast keeps ever its hold on popular life and imagination. The bells on \Christmas Eve ring out their merry chimes, and proclaim oh: Christmas Day the most sublime truths, the rescue of humanity and peace on earth as condition of happiness for
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.