Show MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY Christmas reason af feasting and rejoice rejoicing big fig of gift making and congratulations bf of family reunions and social gatherings of good wishes and benisons beni sons of general hilarity fraternity and harmony inno part of the world is this annual holiday better appreciated or more generally observed thanin than in utah the moun mountain lin kin home of af the latter day saints the celebration of christmas is something more with them thiem than a mere tradition T true ue many of f them have come from countries where the day has been honored and enjoyed for centuries but they recognize it as the accepted birthday ot the founder of that faith which is dearer to them than all things else it matters little so far as the holiday is con eon concerned berned benned whether abeth er the chronology that gives glye this date as the time of the savio rt nativity is correct corrector or not in all probability it is erroneous but ealier we e can join with allwoo all ail who believe elther either in his divine paternity or his mis slonas teacher teach erand enand and exe exemplar a 0 of h heavenly truth in celeb tin P his advent into the world he e is thet the foremost figure of all hll t the he ages to us he 1 is the express image magelof of the eternal father the perfection erfe caon of humanity and the em ament in the flesh of the god power of hd e universe he is a living chris christ t not dead either cither as to his bis physical Ehy physical or spiritual bein being he is t the e slain lamb 0 of f the sacrificial atonement but also the risen redeemer mighty to save he is the victim of bf the bloody cross but also the crowned king over friend and foe foo both of the living and the dead he was the babe of Bethlehem he is the godman god man to whom eventually every soul of earth shall bend the knee he is the living head of our pur living church not shut out from froni mortal reach by time or space but to be approached in an appointed wat way way his voice has been heard atter after after the thet silence of centuries his presence has been unveiled and his aura has lias been wen shed forth in the present age he is no myth but a veritable reality a personal tangible perceptible material though spiritual spiritual being he stands between the almighty god and mortal kanand his camels name esthe the keyword key word that unlocks the gate gato to the ineffable presence we celebrate the dayun dayan view of the these se facts and we also bear in mind that the day of his dominion is fast approaching he will come to sit on the throne of israel and all the kingdoms and governments of the world will be his he will reign not only in their hearts but in their actual affairs anti and will be present in person among the chosen rulers to direct and regulate all things spiritual and temporal to go prepare the this advent and kingdom are wo saints and covenant disel disei pies ples of the rightful heir the I 1 libs first t bom the immaculate the royal high priest but should not the celebration of the birthday of so augusta august a personage be conducted with solemnity ald aid and awe mot tot so go for he came cam e to redeem the world froni woe to banish sorrow to conquer death and aud to deliver the earth and its people from frona the influence of that evil one and from sin which is the source of all misery itis written of the savior that he came eating and drinking ini 11 he denounced strait laced rise elsm long faced formality and outward mournful demeanor and when he appears in his glory he will come as the great bridegroom oom to eat with ith the faithful and id drink ring rink wine new in the tile fathers king dom with the ancient patriarchs the modern prophet prophets sand and those thos e who are fit to wear the wedding weddin garments of every age and tribe we ive will therefore keep christmas as a joyful holiday we will remember that he me came in the spirit and with the angelic lanno announcement of peace on earth good will to all men we will forgive our ene mies mibs rejoice wi thour without with our friends comfort the poor mr with good things as hs well warl as kind words gather in family groups to feast and make mahe merry glad giad groggs gladden en the hearts of the little ones onea with i 1 presents and sweetmeats sweet meats and praise the lord with a cheerful 1 countenance in the song and in hi the dance the voice of melody and while the world despise and berate us and vainly faney fancy that family joys are not our heritage we will prove to one another if notto them that in all the earth there are no truen truer and firmer bonds of family union in which are all the virtues and the pleasures all the refinements and the pure restraints stra ints of husband and wife of parent and child of brother and and sister of kindred and social order than in the thel households of the saints who are joined by everlasting ing ties and are linked together by relationships which death cannot sever but sealed in heaven and on earth will endure while the stars shall shail shinei shine and while the throne 1 of god shall stand in the bosom of eternity I 1 the regard which the saints in these mountains have for marital companions and off spring offspring is evidenced by a very simple thing bu but t which is a plain indication of the err error erron r of the world in relation to them it is is seen in the bare shelves and counters of stores which but a few days ago were laden with dolid holiday ay goldsand good sand creaking under the weight w ag lit of articles designed for gifts iery every one with anick elora elor a dollar to spend has secured something as a love jove of offering fiering to wife or chialdi to husband or parent and the merchants have reaped a harvest that has made them secretly s ff if not openly glad the truth is that in no spot P on t earth among civilized or heathen nation are the family spirit spirl tand and the family virtues more powerfully felt and exhibited thad thau here in much abused utah with its greatly mis misunderstood matrimonial system and at iut this festive season re dolen dolent t of good will and charity we wo can afford to pass by the unkindness bof lof choso who seek our 1 injury with the hope that they may learn to understand us better and to exercise towards us a little of that forbearance that is taught r by the religion and exam example pie pio of the tenderhearted nazarene we will wish for a joyful timetta all the rich mid arid the poor pour tho the saint and the sinner I 1 the boni bond bond andthil and aud the tho i free friends and foes all parties sects and degrees around the tile rolling globe let left the song of gladness and the sounds of bf merriment be heard throughout the world as a prelude to the thrilling I 1 chorus of praise and exultation which will make the earth tremble with delight and the heavens to echo ec h 0 sweet music when HW bis work shall be finished whose nativity we commemorate and adams race me e redeemed from death and hell heli from darkness and the grave shall make one family group of ransomed rans omed souls rejoicing in the presence of their father 1 with great ful fui hearts to god for his mercies we extend special cordial greeting to our friends and patrons rans and wish them all a merry Christ christmas mas mag and a happy new new year |