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Show 28 THE INTERMOUNTAIN CATHOLIC der of time for twenty centuries until its of millions of human beings who have rejoiced and ever will rejoice at that simple event celebrated and commemorated on Christmas day. The event, as an historical fact, is unquestionable. The plain, simple way in which it is told is a sufficient guarantee of its truth. How, otherwise, would the Evangelist strip of all glory His future hero at His very birth, and represent Him, as he does, born amid circumstances and in a condition so despicable and so injurious to His future fortunes? It is the first historical event in His life, and being, as it is so insignificant and apparently so unworthy of notice beyond the memorable day in which it occurred, and yet receiving so much notoriety from all classes of persons, from the poor and illiterate up through the various stages of society to the proudest monarch and the greatest philosopher, the natural conclusion is that it has exercised some powerful secret influence, and that beneath the simple event there lies some hidden mystery. What is it? Like a vine, whose root is in the manger and which has climbed up the lad lat- est bud and freshest fruit adorn the Church of today, we can find no explanation for it other than that it is the work of God, and one which is rendered sublime by the simplicity of its exposition. What emotions of spiritual joy and gratitude, yearning to be practical, should swell up in the hearts of all on Christmas day ! As the stream rushing from the fountain hurries on to the ocean, so should this outpouring of love bear mankind on to Christ, that they may the more quickly and perfectly unite their wills and affections with His in the great work of the Redemption, the beginning of which is announced by His Infant wail in Bethlehem. Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes, laid in a manger, Mary with uplifted eyes in ecstatic joy contemplating the mystery and, as we in spirit look at the scene, the eye of faith, penetrating the realms of mystery, sees more than a human Babe. It sees in the Incarnation God abasing Himself in the manger, God invested with mans nature thereby making it KEITH OBRIEN Evening Slippers pumps in Leathers of Silver or Gold and New Metal Brocades Our Entire Stock of New Evening Slippers, Complete Size Range, Priced very special at 8.50 i - Shoe Section Fourth Floor |