First Performance of Silent Night, 1818

On Christmas Eve in 1818 the song, "Silent Night" was performed for the first time. The setting was the Christmas Eve service at the Church of St. Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria. Traditions abound concerning the circumstances of the song's composition. One of the most popular claims that the church's organ broke, so the pastor, Joseph Mohr, wrote something simple that could be played on guitar. However, a manuscript of the song was found in Mohr's handwriting that has 1816 as the year the words were written. Franz Gruber wrote the music probably in 1818, and John Freeman Young translated the original German into English in 1859 or 1863. Wikipedia gives 1859 as the year.

Whatever were the actual circumstances, it is obvious that "Silent Night" has become one of the most popular Christmas carols ever. It's popularity was seen dramatically almost a hundred years later in the trenches of World War I during the Christmas Truce of 1914. On Christmas Eve German troops began singing some of their carols , and the British responded with English carols. Both sides sang "Silent Night" in their own languages because it was one of the few carols that they all knew. It was a time of unofficial cease-fire, peace, and even camaraderie. The opponents shouted greetings to each other, came out of their trenches, and exchanged gifts before the fighting resumed a few days later.

The song's message of "the dawn of redeeming grace" arouses our desire for the noon day, when redeeming grace shines brightest at Christ's return and we have real, lasting peace.

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon virgin mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night,
Shepherds quake at the sight;
Glories stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night,
Son of God, love’s pure light;
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.

Silent night, holy night
Wondrous star, lend thy light;
With the angels let us sing,
Alleluia to our King;
Christ the Savior is born,
Christ the Savior is born!

A good resource on this and other hymns is Treasury of Great Hymns and Their Stories by Mrs. Guye Johnson (appears to be out of print).

First Performance of Silent Night, 1818

NT Incarnation Texts

Mathew 1:18-25 (English Standard Version)

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

"Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

Luke 2:1-7 (English Standard Version)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

Romans 1:3 (English Standard Version)

concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

Romans 9:5 (English Standard Version)

To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Galatians 4:4-5 (English Standard Version)

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Philippians 2:7 (English Standard Version)

but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

NT Incarnation Texts

A Blessed Christmas Memory

My favorite Christmas memory comes from 1982. My wife and I were a young married couple hoping for our first child. My bother and sister had recently graduated high school. Our dad suffered a massive heart attack early in December and nearly died. He was recovering from bypass surgery and was well enough to come home for a few hours on Christmas morning, so Mom and I brought him home from the hospital. On the way home Dad kept looking around at our old neighborhood as though seeing it for the first time.

Shortly after arriving home my grandmother came in to join us for breakfast (Dad's mother-in-law; his mother had recently passed away). Without a word my grandmother went over to my dad, hugged him and started crying, Dad joining her. When Dad composed himself he asked me to lead in giving thanks for the food since he didn't think he could make it through. Dad lived to see all three of his children married with families of their own. He lived to see all five of his grandchildren, two of them completely grown up.

My grandmother died in 1987. Dad passed away two years ago. I think back on that Christmas morning in 1982 and begin to realize how wonderful it will be when someday we have our grand reunion in Heaven. It really will be life from the dead. All thanks to our wonderful Lord, whose coming into the world we celebrate, and whose second coming we anticipate!

I submitted this Christmas memory in the comments section at Bible Geek Gone Wild on the first day of their 12 Days of Christmas contest. Many thanks to Shaun Tabatt for running this contest and to the publishers for making good books available.

Dad was 52 at the time this memory was made. I'm now 50 and beginning to feel the brevity of life (James 4:13-15). Things change, including our health and our fortunes. The one thing that does not change is the truth of Malachi 3:6 - "I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Jesus, whose advent we observe at Christmas, is "the same yesterday and today and forever" (Heb. 13:8). And He has said to His trusting ones, "Because I live, you will live also" (John 14:19).

I look back on memories like this and thank God for these loved ones and miss them. But I rejoice because Jesus is still alive! Our Redeemer and our coming King! However pleasant are my memories of "Christmases long, long ago," I'm not disheartened about today. I feel anticipation because, for the believer in Christ and His sufficient atonement, the best is yet to come.

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)

A Blessed Christmas Memory

"Babe of Bethlehem" by John L. Girardeau

Blessed Babe of Bethlehem,
Owner of earth's diadem,
Claim, and wear the radiant gem.

Scatter darkness with Thy light,
End the sorrows of our night,
Speak the word, and all is bright.

Spoil the spoiler of the earth,
Bring creation's second birth,
Promised day of song and mirth.

'Tis Thine Israel's voice that calls,
Build again Thy Salem's walls,
Dwell within her holy halls.

'Tis Thy Church's voice that cries,
Rend these long unrendered skies,
Bridegroom of the Church, arise.

Take to Thee Thy power and reign,
Purify this earth again;
Cleanse it from each curse and stain.

Sun of peace, no longer stay,
Let the shadows flee away,
And the long night end in day.

We adore Thee as our King,
And to Thee our song we sing;
Our best offering to Thee bring.

Lamb of God, Thy lowly name,
King of kings, we Thee proclaim;
Heaven and earth shall hear its fame.

Bearer of our sins' sad load,
Wielder of the iron rod,
Judah's Lion, Lamb of God!

Mighty King of righteousness,
King of glory, King of peace,
Never shall Thy kingdom cease!

Thee, earth's heir and Lord, we own;
Raise again its fallen throne,
Take its everlasting crown.

"Babe of Bethlehem" by John L. Girardeau

The Beginning of Sorrows: Joseph and Mary

A few days ago I offered a quotation from Whyte's sermon "That Holy Thing," in Jesus Christ Our Lord: His Walk, Conversation and Character (1953). Today, I would like to offer a few quotes from his sermon "Joseph and Mary," in Bible Characters: Joseph and Mary to James, The Lord's Brother (4th ed.; London: Oliphant Anderson and Ferrier, nd).

Mary

On a thousand sacred canvases throughout Christendom we are shown the angel of the annunciation presenting Mary with a branch of lily as an emblem of her beauty and as a seal of her purity. But why has no spiritual artist stained the whiteness of the lily with the red blood of a broken heart? For no sooner had the transfiguring light of the angel's presence faded from her sight than a deep and awful darkness began to fall upon Joseph's espoused wife. Surely if ever a suffering soul had to seek all its righteousness and all its strength in God alone, it was the soul of the Virgin Mary in those terrible days that followed the annunciation. Blessed among women as all the time she was; unblemished in soul and in body like the paschal lamb as she was; like the paschal lamb also she was set apart to be a divine sacrifice, and to have a sword thrust through her heart. Mary must have passed through many dark and dreadful days when all she had given her to lean upon would seem like a broken reed. Hail, though that art highly favoured of the Lord, the angel said to her. But all that would seem but so many mocking works to her as she saw nothing before her but an open shame, and, it might well be, an outcast's death. ... Great is the mystery of godliness: God manifest in the flesh. A man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. These are the beginnings of sorrows. (pp. 1-2)

Joseph

Joseph's part in all this is told us by Saint Matthew alone. Alone as we read that Evangelist's particular account of that time, we see how sharp that sword was which pierced Joseph's soul also. His heart was broken with this terrible trial, but there was only one course left open to him. Conclude the marriage he could not, but neither could he consent to make Mary a public example, and there was only left to him the sad step of revoking the contract and putting her away privately. Joseph's heart must have been torn in tow. For Mary had been the woman of all women to him. She had been in his eyes the lily among thorns. And now to have to treat her like a poisonous weed--the thought of it drove him mad. Oh, why is it that whosoever comes at all near Jesus Christ has always to drink such a cup of sorrow? Truly they who are brother or sister or mother to Him must take up their cross daily. These are they who go up through great tribulation. (pp. 2-3)

This chapter is included in the recent edition published by Christian Focus Publications: Alexander Whyte, Bible Characters: People from the New Testament (CFP, 2003) [CFP | Amazon | CBD]

The Beginning of Sorrows: Joseph and Mary

'That Holy Thing'

One of my favorite 19th century preachers is Alexander Whyte. Most of his books are the result of collecting and publishing his sermons, and they are heart-warming to read. This evening a read his sermon on Luke 1:35, "That Holy Thing." This is a very fine sermon on the incarnation of Jesus, based upon a peculiar phrase found in the AV. His final application of this text is worth repeating here.

The angel described Mary's child to her as 'that holy thing.' Now, I will not pain you and offend you by calling your child the opposite of that. For, does not the apostle himself say that the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the believing wife, and the unbelieving wife by the believing husband, and that, therefore, their children are holy? But I will say this, that if you would have your child not ceremonially and conventionally holy only, but personally and really and everlastingly holy, and if you yourself know what holiness is, you must set before yourself for your child no less a holiness than that of the Holy Child Himself. And as often as you see and feel in your innermost heart your child's fretfulness, and quarrelsomeness, and rudeness, and sulkiness, and impudence, and pride, and anger, and an unbroken will, take him apart and, like Thomas Halyburton's mother, pray both with him and for him. Pray importunately that your child also may be made of God, both to Him and to you, a twin-brother of the Holy Child Jesus. Pray without ceasing that your child may be sanctified with the self-same sanctification as Mary's Child. And if that may not be perfected all at once, as His sanctification was, pray that at least it may be begun as long as you are here to see it and to have a hand in it. Take your child apart, as long as he is docile and will go with you, and ask on your knees, and in his hearing, something like this—'O God, the God and Father of the Holy Child Jesus, make this, my dear child, a child of God with Him. And after I am gone make him and keep him a man of God like Him.' Take no rest yourself, and give God no rest, till you see a seed of God not only sown in your child's heart, but till you see him, as Mary saw her firstborn Son, subject to her in everything in her house at home, and growing up every day in wisdom, and in stature, and in favour with God and man.

(Alexander Whyte, "That Holy Thing" in Jesus Christ Our Lord: His Walk, Conversation and Character [1905; reprint ed.; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1953], 19-20; emphasis mine.)

'That Holy Thing'

How a Reformer Viewed Christmas

Christianity Today features a timely article by Paul L. Maier, "Celebrating Advent with Martin Luther." Maier demonstrates Luther's love for Christmas through excerpts from several of Luther's sermons. Introducing the excerpts Maier observes,

One of [Luther's students] wrote that as Christmas approached, Luther grew increasingly cheerful: "All his words and songs and thoughts concerned the incarnation of our Lord. Then he sighed and said, 'Oh, we poor people that we should be so cold and indifferent to this great joy that has been given us. For this is indeed the greatest gift, which far exceeds all else that God has created. Yet we believe so sluggishly, even though the angels proclaim and preach and sing, and their lovely song sums up the whole Christian faith, for 'Glory to God in the highest' is the very heart of worship."

Read the entire article. It makes good Advent meditation and can be added to our list of suggested Seasons Readings. The article also recommends a book that I wasn't familiar with, but looks very interesting, Martin Luther's Christmas Book, by Roland H. Bainton, Luther's biographer. Happy reading!

How a Reformer Viewed Christmas

Season's Readings

This time of year I like to read things that help me focus on the real meaning of Christmas and meditate on the abiding truth of "God with us." I'll share some titles and resources that you may want to check out for some good Advent meditation.

• Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus edited by Nancy Guthrie - This is a new book featured in a previous post. It consists of 22 relatively short chapters taken from the writings and sermons of Bible preachers and teachers past and present. All groups of Christians, laymen and ministers, should enjoy this book. From the publisher's website you can download a sample or browse portions of the book online. Available from: Amazon | CBD | CVBBS | Monergism | WTS.
  

• God With Us: The Miracle of Christmas by John MacArthur - This book of about 140 pages is suitable for private use or small group study, like in a Sunday School class. The nine chapters cover different aspects of the Christmas story with one theme in mind: "This Child's birth meant deliverance for mankind. The angel told Joseph: 'It is He who will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). Jesus knew that to do that, He would have to die" (p. 115). Have you ever heard a sermon on the genealogy of Christ in Matthew chapter 1? MacArthur has a chapter on this entitled, "Knots on the Family Tree." It's a blessing. Available from Amazon.
  

• The King Has Come by James Montgomery Boice - 15 sermons by the former minister of Philadelphia's Tenth Presbyterian Church that show the real meaning of Christmas. "I trust that this small book of Christmas messages may be used by God to bring to many people the peace that the incarnation and death of Jesus Christ has made possible" (p. 9). You can download the table of contents and preface from the publisher's website. Also available from: Amazon | WTS.
  

• Great Sermons on the Birth of Christ edited by Wilbur M. Smith - a collection of 15 sermons from preachers of the past, such as Charles Spurgeon, Henry P. Liddon, Joseph Parker, Alexander Whyte, Martin Luther, and G. Campbell Morgan. Since these are sermons they can be profitable to any believer, but this book might appeal mostly to ministers. Wilbur Smith, a 20th Century bibliophile, provides some extra features that can be a help to ministers preparing sermons or series of messages. At the end of the book are four appendices that explore the Nativity Narratives further and suggest other books on the subject. Smith also provides a biographical sketch of each preacher whose sermons he includes. Available from Amazon.
  

• Christmastide in St. Paul's by Henry P. Liddon - Sermons Bearing Chiefly On The Birth Of Our Lord And The End Of The Year (1889) (Hardcover) from Kessinger Publishing. Liddon was an Anglican theologian and preacher, "an Anglican of the High Church, but fervently evangelical, with emphasis first upon the Word of God rather than upon ritual or form" (Wilbur M. Smith). Available from Amazon.
  

• The Magnificat by Henry P. Liddon - Four sermons on Mary's burst of praise in Luke chapter 1: 1) Mary our Model in Praising God (Luke 1:46-48); 2) Privileges of the Virgin Mother (Luke 1:48-50); 3) Vicissitudes of Men and Nations (Luke 1:51-53); 4) God's Mercy and Faithfulness in the Divine Incarnation (Luke 1:54-55). A few years ago I read this book over the four Sundays of Advent, and I concur with Wilbur Smith that Liddon is "fervently evangelical." These sermons are a blessing. If you can find it, Klock & Klock's 1980 reprint combines this book with James Orr's The Virgin Birth of Christ. The Magnificat available from Amazon.
  

• My Soul Magnifies the Lord by Martyn Lloyd-Jones - Meditations on the Meaning of Christmas. The Doctor also provides four sermons on Mary's song of praise: 1) Magnifying God; 2) The Wisdom of God; 3) The Faithfulness of God; 4) The Christian's Experience. "Here in this short compass, in a very extraordinary manner, [Mary] brings us face to face with some of the many central matters in connection with our salvation" (pp. 8-9). Available from Amazon.
  

• Advent Devotional published by Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC - This is a free online resource you can download as a pdf file from the church's website. It consists of several short readings for each of the four weeks of Advent. Following each reading are suggestions for prayers and an appropriate Christmas hymn. Intended mainly for use in family devotions or as part of a group. Very warm. Recommended.

• Celebrating Advent with Martin Luther - a brief article from Christianity Today by Paul L. Maier consisting mainly of several excerpts from Luther's Christmas sermons demonstrating his love for the season.

• Martin Luther's Christmas Book edited by Roland H. Bainton - a gift edition of a book containing thirty excerpts from Luther's Christmas sermons. Supplemented by elegant illustrations of scenes from the Christmas story and two of Luther's carols. Available from Amazon.
  

Don't let the busyness or, possibly, the loneliness of the season rob you of the true Christmas spirit. The angelic announcement to the lonely shepherds was one of "glad tidings of great joy which shall be to all people" (Luke 2:10-11). Take time out frequently to meditate on the Scriptures and let the presence of God overwhelm your soul.

Feel free to share your favorite Advent readings with us in the comments.

Season's Readings

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

I'd like to recommend a recent release from Crossway to help you meditate on the real meaning of Christmas - Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas, edited by Nancy Guthrie

Publisher's description:

An anthology of Advent readings collected from the writings and sermons of 22 classic and contemporary theologians and Bible teachers.

Between purchasing presents and planning travel, enjoying holiday pageants and attending parties, it is all too easy for Christmas to silence the sacredness and crowd out a quiet anticipation of the season’s truths. So when editor Nancy Guthrie decided she wanted a reflective book of Advent readings that would help her pause and consider the riches of Christ come to earth, she embarked on what she calls “a sacred adventure,” putting together such a collection herself.

The result—this special volume—draws from the works and sermons of classic theologians such as Whitefield, Luther, Spurgeon, and Augustine, and from leading contemporary communicators such as John Piper, J. Ligon Duncan, Randy Alcorn, John MacArthur, Francis Schaeffer, R. C. Sproul, Skip Ryan, and Joni Eareckson Tada to beckon you and your family into the wonder of Jesus’ incarnation and birth.

With its high view of Scripture and its focus on the gift of Jesus, this lovely book is sure to ready your heart and mind for a fresh experience of “Immanuel, God with us” this and every Advent season. Open the cover and discover what Christmas was meant to be…

Binding: Paperback
Page Count: 144
Publisher: Crossway
ISBN#: 9781433501807

Also available from: Amazon | WTS | CBD | CVBBS | Monergism

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

"Good Cheer for Christmas" from C. H. Spurgeon

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892)

From The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit. A sermon delivered on Lord's-Day morning, December 20th, 1868.

"We have nearly arrived at the great merry-making season of the year. On Christmas-day we shall find all the world in England enjoying themselves with all the good cheer which they can afford. Servants of God, you who have the largest share in the person of him who was born at Bethlehem, I invite you to the best of all Christmas fare--to nobler food than makes the table groan--bread from heaven, food for your spirit. Behold, how rich and how abundant are the provisions which God has made for the high festival which he would have his servants keep, not now and then, but all the days of their lives!"

For more on "Spurgeon on Christmas", I found this article to be very interesting.

"Good Cheer for Christmas" from C. H. Spurgeon

On "The Immaculate Conception" by Henri deVries

Henri deVries (1847-1932)

From The Incarnate Son of God. New York: The Christian Alliance Publishing Co., 1921. p. 1.

"Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary." This has been the confession of the Christian Church for nearly two millenniums. She has always considered this Confession as fundamental. Without it there could not be an Incarnation, neither an Atonement, for there could not be a Mediator. Without the holy Conception and the Virgin Birth the whole structure fo our Redemption would be suspended in the air. Hence the subject is of most vital importance; and as such it must be taught, emphasized and apprehended by a living faith for the comfort and edification of the Church and of individual believers. Moreover the prevailing unbelief of the present time regarding this and related doctrines of grace makes this an imperative duty."

On "The Immaculate Conception" by Henri deVries

Jesus' Mysterious Incarnation, the first step in the humiliation of the Son of God

Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)

From The Glory of the Redeemer in His Person and Work. r.p. Pittsburgh, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, n.d., pp. 126-128.

"Now, the great glory which gilds this dark part of the Redeemer's humiliation consists in the lowering of the infinite to the scale of the finite--the bringing down of the Godhead to a level with the manhood. In this lay His real humiliation, and from this springs His true glory. Had our Lord assumed our nature, descending from the highest order of angelic being, He would but have exchanged one form of created existence for another; and although made a "little lower than the angels," there would have been no such relinquishment of previous dignity, as could justify the term thus applied to Him by the Holy Spirit, "He humbled Himself." If, as a finite creature, it were possible for me to assume the incarnation of an insect, there would be in the act but the mere semblance of humility,--the appearance, and not the true virtue itself: because, there being some proportion between the form relinquished and the form assumed, the step would be but a lower one in the same scale of finite being. But how vastly different in the case of our adorable Redeemer! As we have just remarked, between two finite things there is always some relative proportion; thus a grain of sand bears some proportion to the Alps, and a drop of water bears some proportion to the ocean; but between the finite and the infinite there can be no possible proportion whatever. Now, in the person of the Son of God, the two extremes of being--the infinite and the finite,--meet in strange and mysterious, but close and eternal, union. The Divine came down to the human,--Deity humbled itself to humanity. This was humiliation indeed! It was not the creature descending in the scale of creation, but is was the Creator stooping to the creature. "God was manifest in the flesh,"--"He humbled Himself." Oh, it is an amazing truth! So infinitely great was He, He could thus stoop without compromising His dignity, or lessening His glory."

John Owen (1616-1683)

From The Glory of Christ. Edited by Wilbur M. Smith. r.p. Chicago: Moody Press, 1980, pp. 99-100.

"This, then, is the foundation of the glory of Christ in this condescension, the life and soul of all heavenly truth and mysteries: that the Son of God becoming in time to be what He was not, the Son of Man, ceased not thereby to be what He was, even the eternal Son of God."

Jesus' Mysterious Incarnation, the first step in the humiliation of the Son of God

"The full pathos of the scene" by Rev. James Stalker

Reverend James Stalker, M.A., D.D. (1848-1929)

From The Life of Jesus Christ, Revised Edition. London: Fleming H. Revell, 1909, p. 10.

"No friendly house opened its door to receive them, and they were fain to clear for their lodging a corner in the inn-yard, else occupied by the beasts of the numerous travelers. There, that very night, she brought forth her first-born Son; and because there was neither womanly hand to assist her nor couch to receive Him, she wrapped Him in swaddling-clothes and laid Him in a manger.
"Such was the manner of the birth of Jesus. I never felt the full pathos of the scene, till, standing one day in a room of an old inn in the market-town of Eisleben, in Central Germany, I was told that on that very spot, four centuries ago, amidst the noise of a market-day and the bustle of a public-house, the wife of the poor miner, Hans Luther, who happened to be there on business, being surprised like Mary with sudden distress, brought forth in sorrow and poverty the child who was to become Martin Luther, the hero of the Reformation and the maker of modern Europe."

"The full pathos of the scene" by Rev. James Stalker

On Christmas...by G. Campbell Morgan (1913)

G. Campbell Morgan (1863-1945)

From This Was His Faith: The Expository Letters of G. Campbell Morgan, compiled & edited by Jill Morgan, r.p. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1977. page 309.

"My own attitude toward Christmas is that of delighting to take advantage of the day on which the whole Church celebrates the fact of the birth of our Lord. To me the festival is supremely one of joy, one in which all that we usually speak of as secular is recognized as sanctified, and so rendered sacred in the highest senses by the infinite mystery of the Incarnation. I feel that a Christmas Day is always of the happiest in which I have first foregathered with a congregation in adoring worship, and then have entered into the joy of the home and all its sanctified merriment."

On Christmas...by G. Campbell Morgan (1913)