Friends at Court

New Zealand Tablet, 31 December 1914, Page 3

Friends at Court

GLEANINGS FOR NEXT WEEK’S CALENDAR

January 3, Sunday.—Most Holy Name of Jesus. ~ 4, Monday.—Octave Holy Innocents, Martyrs ~ 5, Tuesday.—Vigil of the Epiphany. ~' 6, Wednesday.—The Epiphany. » ~ 7, Thursday.Of the Octave. „ 8, Friday.—Of the Octave. ~ 9, Saturday.—Of the Octave. i The Epiphany. From the fourth century the Epiphany, or Manifestation of our Lord, has been regarded as one of the greatest of ecclesiastical solemnities. Three events in the life of our Blessed Saviour are commemorated on this day—(l) The manifestation of the Infant Redeemer to the wise men from the East. (2) The Baptism of our Lord at the hands of St. John, when a voice from heaven was heard declaring : ' This is My Beloved Son, in Whom lam well pleased.' (3) The changing of water into wine at the marriage feast of Cana—the first miracle by which Christ showed His Divine power.

GRAINS OP GOLD.

THE EPIPHANY.

To the holy land of Shem, Where the Star had guided them, To the Crib of Bethlehem—

Came the Kings of old ;

Bearing’ gifts of love intense— Myrrh and gold and frankincense ; Wond’ringly departing thence— Regal ones of old.

Left the Maiden-Mother there, In her eyes a world of care At the wondrous news they bear —

Chosen ones of old.

Clasps she closely to her’ breast Babe by Eastern Magi blest. Crooning softly o’er His rest —• ‘ O my little Babe !’

In her soul there strikes a chill:

‘ Something, some one bodes Thee ill!’ Faintly rises Calvary’s hill—- ‘ O my little Babe ! ’

‘Sweetly sleeping, rest, my Dove! Mother guards Thee with her love; God will watch us from above—

Rest, my little Babe!

‘ Gifts of gold the Wise Men bring, Hymns of praise the angels sing, All for Thee, my little King— Rest, my little Babe!’ Ave Maria.

We 'have to —work seriously at the formation of the mind and heart—the task allotted us in this world. Both have to be conformed to the likeness of Him Who is the pattern of all the elect. Both have to be brought into harmony with the surroundings in which they find themselves. ; , Happiness is a true Christian duty. It was no part of Christ’s mission to disseminate sorrow or to put a stopper on joy. He attended the wedding feast and refused not to refill the wine vessels when they failed. He went to break bread in the houses of His friends and put no pall upon their fellowship. Yes, even at the end His spirit was not quenched, but His last heritage was that of joy and peace. We have from Him no warrant for gloom or depression. Who came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.