THE GARLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3275, 20 December 1916, Page 69

THE GARLAND.

FOR THE QUIET HOUR. No. 173. By Duncan Wright, Dunedin. CHRISTMAS BELLS. 0 Christmas bells so sweet! your yearly herald sing . Of joy and peace and mirth, meet tor tne Christmas-tide, Float out to earth and sea and sky, a gladsome ring, . To reach the hearts of rich and poor, ana there abide. . O Christmas bells, so sweet, your yearly herald sing! "To ns a King is bom," ring out, ring out, sweet bells, . The story old, yet new, of light and love I° r all > „ . C j. Spread forth the joyful melody that comfortingly tells ~ _ To saddened, burdened hearts, the Saviour s restful call. . O Christmas bells, so sweet, your yearly herald sing! King out till every cry is lulled to peaceful sleep, , House the sad world to life, and hope and strength anew, For time- is fleeting past us, and Christmastide to keep, Needs generous souls and gladsome hearts and helpful hands not few. O Christmas beils, so sweet, your yearly • herald sing! Hark the herald angels sing! "It is time to be listening for the angels again. More than 1900 years ago their chorus rolled its tuneful tide over the star-lit fields near Bethlehem, its burden peace and good-will to men and glory to God in the highest. Often before that, however, had there been angel visitants to earth, and angel voices at the doors of men. They had come silent-footed and shining-faced to Abraham, to Moses, to Gideon, to Manoah, and to many a holy prophet and gentlewoman of the olden time.

"The fairest angel among them all, whom the painters have conceived as poised in radiant light, with a lily in his hand, has come to Mary announcing the Redeemer's Advent. The shepherds do not seem to have been surprised or frightened at the lovely vision that was so suddenly l revealed to their eyes. We, in our great woiidliness, should we see such beautiful forms and hear such sweet strains now, might refuse to believe that it was 'a multitude of the heavenly host,' and might consider the Divine revelation a mere hallucination of the mind. At least, so we act concerning the angel guests who, in less stately guise, hover over our homes .and bless our lives. Angels are messengers of grace to men. We have the inspired Word to confirm our faith thai! they are at all times sent forth to minister to them who shall be heirs of salvation. Unseen and unrecognised, often unwelcomed and coldly repulsed, God's beautiful angels are ever lingering about our paths. "Sometimes their names are Sorrow, Care, Loss, Privation, Disappointment, and their golden wings are all hidden and veiled under sad-coloured garments of cloud; but not the less do they come from the Father and work His will in us. Sometimes they are bright and winsome, and make a lovely light in our dwelling, in which we are glad, not knowing that it is the shimmer of angels' pinions. Then we call them Love, Hope, Charity, Faith, and are strong in their strength. "Let us rest a while and hear the angels sing. For the angels have never quite gone away, and Christ is not dead. All this Christmas delight is not concerning a past Messiah ; it has to do with a present King. Still His name is Jesus, and still Ho saves His people from their sins."

On Christmas Day, long years ago, A babe was born in Bethlehem In humble manger lying low, A Prince without a diadem. The story of a Saviour's birth No peal of trumpets told that day, But angels sang a song to earth That never since has died away. No thankful hearts were there who sought Their Lord with gifts of price untold, Save three wise men, who humbly brought Sweet myrrh, and frankincense-, and gold. Yet everw year live more and more Who hail that Babe as Lord and King; And millions all the wide world o'er This day to Him their offerings bring. And every year we're nearer still That glorious day when, golden bright, The knowledge of the Lord shall fill The earth, and all shall see the light. "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." —Isaiah xi, 9. CHRISTMAS GIFTS. "It is customary for friends and relatives to give presents on birthdays to those whom they love and honour, and it has grown to be a, custom to give and receive presents on the birthday of our Lord. So extensive is this that a human being is poor and friendless indeed who does not receive some gift on Christmas Day. It is a beautiful memento of the unspeakable gift. "And shall lie Lo forgotten? What would you think if at a feast by your friends in celebration of your birthday, you went to the table and discovered that a present was laid at every place except your own? But is not this the way in which we have been treating our Lord ? Have wc not forgotten Him in the feast? This reminds us of the artist who was employed to paint the portrait of one of the Stuarts. He made: tho wig so large and resplendent that the faco could scarcely be seen. We have made the feast so large, been so much engrossed in our pleasures and gifts, that we have well nigh hidden our Lord. Shall it be so any longer? Cam' any who love Him consent to receive and give and not

make the Lord and Saviour an offering? What do hearts that love Him say? Shall we give and receive from our children and neglect the holy child Jesus? Will you spend your money in procuring gifts for your son. and forget the only begotten Son? Can you send gifts to your brother and forget the Elder Brother? Can teachers receive gifts of appreciation and then forget the' Great Teacher? Will scholar's forget the Master of the disciples? "Will men forget the Man of Sorrows? Will women forget their truest Friend? Can any young men forget that One who, when but a youth, exhibited every manly grace and virtue and died to save them? Can the redeemed church forget hsr Lord? Can ye bereaved families forget Him who has taken a little child to Himself, and into whose face your departed one always looks? And into whose surpassing loveliness it will continually grow? In a word, will we, as persons, families, and churches, be guilty of the ingratitude of keeping feast and forgetting Christ? No, if wo are loyal to Him, like the wise men of old, we shall seek His cradle and offer our worship and gifts." THE GIFT JESUS BROUGHT. When morning stars together sang The ancient music of the spheres, And all creation's arches rang To the grand march of youthful years, That came with measured steps sublime Down through the corridors of time, Then angels came and talked with men Of glorious things that yet would be, When all the earth would smile again With Eden's grace and purity. O'er Judah'a silver mantled plains, When shepherds watched their flecks by night, The angels sang in sweetest strains, While round them shone a wondrous light; This was the burden of the song That echoed from the white-robe throng: "Glory to God" who reigns on high, And "on earth peace, good will to men," Rose to the arches of the sky, That sent the music back again. They told the birth of Christ the Lord, A mighty Saviour promised long; Then myrfed angels in accord Unite in voluntary song, Until the music all divine Awakes the hills of Palestine, That answers back in glad reply; And wise men hasten to behold The mighty Day-spring from on high, And bring to Him their gifts of gold. A richer gift than gold He brought From the celestial land above— An earnest life of holy thought, That kept the perfect law of love By doing good; and where He trod, Revealed the shining way of God. Rejoice to-day, ring all the bells, And let each voice with song arise, And with the organ's highest swell, Increase the chorus of the skies.

HE GAVE GIFTS. "Ah! what gifts has He not bestowed! Think as the sweet bells ring through the midnight of His gift of peace. 'Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.' "Have there been midnight hours in your heart history this year? Does the Christmas morning rise in mist and tears? Hear the message of the bells, 'My peace I give unto you.' Has the circle of loved friends which used to enfold you so closely broken and widened and melted from your touch until you feci almost alone in the midst of holiday rejoicings? Hear the message of the bells, 'My peace I give unto you.' "Think, too, of the gift of His Word—the exceeding great and precious promises wherein our hearts find anchorage in every stormy tide. We have had this gift so long, "and its use is offered so freely, that sometimes we forget its value. But the grass withers, the flower fades, and amid the winter of the heart we turn with thankfulness to one of the sweet old chapters to find that the Word of God stands for ever. Oh, the priceless gift of His Word ! "Think, also, of the gift- of His Spirit—the Comforter whom He has sent to abide with us for ever ; the reprover of sin ; the regenerating spirit; the witnesser of the Father's love; the sanetifier; the inward intercessor; the guide into all truth. "Think of the gift of Himself. 0 child of God ! Thy gifts are more than thou canst number, for with Himself He has freely given thee all things." Drifted into this earth-life, 'Mid its clamour, strife, and din, A waif, on the morn of Christmas, To a life of want and sin. Loud clanged the bells in the church tower, Proclaiming a wondrous love-. Ah, Christ! 'Tis a thing- so pitiful, Angels witness such scenes from above! They said: "Some Palace there must be Where ChVistmas and hie company Abide in state magnificent." And so thro' all the world they went, These words upon their banner gay ' "We seek the Home of Christmas Day." They journed on for many years, A fitful music in their ears; But never could they light upon The voice that grew and then was gone At length they found a stable door With legend, "Stay, and seek no more." They entered; all they found was this— A peasant girl, who bent to kiss A little baby, lying warm Within her quiet mother-arm, A man who moved with gentle tread, Somo cattle, and a manger bed.