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Show t CHRISTMAS I . T-TV-; . t444t44444 4T j (Written for The Intermountain Catholic by J. F. R.) - Let us rejoice and exult, for on this day we celebrate the great feast of "Peace and Love," th,e New-born King, the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What His humiliation has purchased for us we,know by faith. The world had subsisted about 4.C00 years when -Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, having taken human flesh in the womb of " the Virgin Mary, and being made" man, was born of her, for the redemption of mankind a Bethle hem of Judea. ' Joseph and Mary had come up to Bethlehem to be enrolled, and, unable to find shelter elsewhere, they took refuge in a stable, and in this lowly place Jesus Christ was born.. The Blessed Virgin wrapDed the Divine Infant In-fant in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in the manger. While the worldly and the proud were asleep, an angel appeared ap-peared to some poor shepherds. They were seized with great fear, but the heavenly messenger said to them: "Fear not, for behold I bring you good tidings of exceeding great joy, that shall be to" all the people. For this day is born to you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, in the City of David. And this shall be a sign to you: you shall find the child wrapped in swad-dfiing swad-dfiing clothes, and laid in a manger." After the departure of the angel the other: "Let us go over to Bethlehem, and let ua see the word that is come to pass, which the Lord hath shown to us." They immediately hastened thither, and found Mary and Joseph, and the Infant lying in the manger. Bowing down, they adored Him, and then returned to their flocks, glorifying and praising God. Christmas brinigs joy and- gladness to every Christian heart; the very air seems filled again with heavenly choirs, singing "Gloria in Excelsisi Deo." Glory to God in the highest and. on earth peace to men of good will. It tells of the "Prince of Peace," who left his home of eternal blissi and. glory and came into the world to effect an eter nal alliance between God and man, bearing tidings of joy to all mankind. He came into our midst to govern, instruct in-struct and purchase for all, by the pi-e-cious fruits of His redemption; forfeited for-feited inheritance. Although His first hour on earth was but in a stable, yet his star dispelled the gloom of night. He was the true light, which was to enlighten every man that cometh into the world. His light was to dispell the darkness of error and unbelief; and whosoever should follow Him should no longer remain in the gloom of night. What wonder, then, that all Christians Chris-tians should rejoice and sing their carols car-ols of praise to tthe "Incarnate Word" at Christmas-tide! For the joyful feast of Christmas is as far above all the other festivals of the year as the sun outshines the starsu What wonder that during this holy season faithful Christians Chris-tians should decorate their homes with Christmas trees, and a crib to the Holv Child for the joy and instruction of their innocent children, those youthful olives of God's holy Church, those links between angels and men. , . The lights which we place upon the Christmas, tree are typical of Christ, the light of the world. The light of divine truth, which was prefigured by the star of Bethlehem. This light to true Christians must be a source of enlightenment en-lightenment to make all duties easy and agreeable. May, then, the lights wflich burn on the Christmas trees of Chris-i Chris-i tian homes be a means' of leading all those who are in search of the principles princi-ples of light and truth to find them in Christ Jesus, centered in the bosom of God's Church, which is the source of light, and truth to all mankind. The ornaments, embellishments, flowers and presents which adorn and beautify the Christmas tree remind us of the fruits of His precious blood, treasured up in the sacraments, which the "Incarnate Word" presented to all men of good win. a ne sacramenis are me oeautiful sources from which flow in perennial streams the precious blood of Jesus Christ for the redemption and slncti-fication slncti-fication of man. It was on the tree of the cross that He poured out the last drop of His blood for the salvation of mankind. The presents we pluck from the Christmas tree for children, as well as those we are to give friends, all remind re-mind us of that great and priceless gift which God the Father gave to all mankind man-kind in the person of "His Only Begotten Be-gotten Son." The custom, therefore, of giving presents at Christmas-tide should bring before our minds the Newborn New-born King, our brother, Prince of Peace. Let us all gather around the crib and remember its beautiful signification. Teach the young and old its typical meaning that they may the more joyfully joy-fully appreciate its fruits and gifts. |