A Christmas Sermon Preached by the Rev. A. N. Rowland on December 21, 1924, in Union Church, Shanghai "When they had opened thei gold, frankincense aad myrrh treasures they offered wito him gifts, Matt: 2.10.
"When the crowded noises of the inn had ceased, Came three weary travellers from the further East. Through the long night-watches, led by one sure star, These three, ha knowledge, came from lands afa: Gifts both great and glorious bore they in their hand: Gold and strange, sweet spices bought of alien lands.
This immortal story encrusts with Jewels, at Ie were, the bare simplicity and actual squalor of the Saviour's birth. Its exceeding canty has been the source of many 'a legend and song. But divine beauty always enshrines some trath that cannot die. And it is the truth we are wanting this morning. The truth is that the Kings of the earth bring their tribute to babes. By Kings Ido not mean the time keepers of history, like "William the Conqueror 1066" but those whose crown is their character, whose sceptre their genius, who. possess the spirit of counsel and might and the fear of the Lord." Part their greatness is that they. bring treasure to children. some build with gold, silver or precious stones, others' with wood, hay and stubble. There are communities of the Christian name that seem to be housed palatially but as to their real dwelling place it is like village not far from Shanghai, with sticks, straw and stubble for the roofs and walls. All depends on the Intention and spirit of our gifts, According to the arithmetic of Christ a certain poor widow was giving gold to the Treasury when observers could only count two mites. And it is clear that He had a warm place in His heart for those who gave on the gold scale, as He did Himself, without counting the cost,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.