THE THREE KINGS OF COLOGNE

From out Cologne there came three kings To worship Jesus Christ, their King. To Him they sought fine herbs they brought, And many a beauteous golden thing; They brought their gifts to Bethlehem town, And in that manger set them down.

Then spake the first king, and he said: "O Child, most heavenly, bright, and fair! I bring this crown to Bethlehem town For Thee, and only Thee, to wear; So give a heavenly crown to me When I shall come at last to Thee!"

The second, then. "I bring Thee here This royal robe, O Child!" he cried; "Of silk 'tis spun, and such an one There is not in the world beside; So in the day of doom requite Me with a heavenly robe of white!"

 

The third king gave his gift, and quoth: "Spikenard and myrrh to Thee I bring, And with these twain would I most fain Anoint the body of my King; So may their incense sometime rise To plead for me in yonder skies!"

 

Thus spake the three kings of Cologne, That gave their gifts, and went their way; And now kneel I in prayer hard by The cradle of the Child to-day; Nor crown, nor robe, nor spice I bring  

As offering unto Christ, my King.

Yet have I brought a gift the Child May not despise, however small; For here I lay my heart to-day, And it is full of love to all.

Take Thou the poor but loyal thing, My only tribute, Christ, my King!

Believe in God and Santa Claus!

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Why do the bells of Christmas ring?
Why do little children sing?

Once a lovely shining star,
Seen by shepherds from afar,
Gently moved until its light
Made a manger's cradle bright.

There a darling baby lay,
Pillowed soft upon the hay;
And its mother sung and smiled:
"This is Christ, the holy Child!"

Therefore bells for Christmas ring,
Therefore little children sing.

Lessons from History

Some of Life's greatest lessons come from books passed down thru the ages. Books like the Bible and the works of some of history's greatest thinkers.

Here is a brief excerpt from the book of Matthew:

Some asked Jesus which was the great commandment. And Jesus replied:
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." Matthew 22: 37-39

Throughout history men and women much wiser than I have pondered upon the merits of religion.

The Congress of 1776, speaking of religion, declared it was the “only solid basis of public liberty and happiness.” General Washington ( The first President of the United States ) said it was “one of the great pillars of human happiness, and the firmest prop of the duties of men and citizens.”

Liberty or freedom is a double edged sword at times. Our protection of "freedom of speech" has lead to some who propose to break down the altars of prayer, take away our Bibles and our days of worship, shut up the doors against all our Sunday-schools and turn more than a million of children into the streets, away from sweet song and moralizing influences, and the pure morals of the gospel of Christ.

Let us Americans decide, not merely as Christians, but as “patriots and fathers,” whether we will cling to the pure “Gospel of Jesus Christ,” given to us in the love of Heaven, and in the blood of Jesus. Or fall prey to those who would have us hide our faith in Christ and keep it out of all public places.

There are strong intellects in unbelief flooding our country with their doubting, anti-Christian message. How shall they be met? Show them that you are full of Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Show them Love of Christ and love of our fellow man.