HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1936-12-10, Page 1^Peace on Barth Sood^Will toward 3¥len”
a GHKisiqvias message
BY REV. WALTER E. DONNELLY, B.A.
“Once again we’re young and glad,
Again our heavy eyes have smiled;
For all the earth has caught the light
That shines about a new-born child.”
Christmas is a time of loving memories, of good cheer, of happy and
grateful hearts. It is the greatest day of all the year. It celebrates the
greatest gift of God to man. It is man’s day and woman’s day, and best of*
all it is children’s day. May this Christmas time be one of wholesome fun
and abounding delght of every boy and gild. May their Christmas stock
ings be filled with the most wonderful surprises. May their Christmas trees
be loaded with the most marvellous fruit.
But there is a deeper charm than candy and toys in the high, holy mean
ing of this blessed day. The glory of God shines in the common place and
makes the whole world kin. The divine Word is made flesh and dwells
among us. Christmas is the sweet and far-reaching voice of a loving, yearn
ing, winsome Father, calling all of His children to come up close beside Him,
while He pours out His treasures of love and joy and peace. It is the music
of heaven, luring us from the trivial and transient to the abiding beauties of
the spirit, which are the same yesterday, to-day and forever. It is the an-i
nouncement of the triumph of kindness, tolerance and love—of goodwill as
the way to happiness and brotherhood. From the life of Christ have stream
ed the sweet and wholesome forces that have recreated life and given hope
to the world.
Blessed are they who throw wide open the doors of their hearts, that
the spirit of Christmas which is the spirit of Christ may come and stay. Bless
ed are they who express this spirit in holy worship, and who translate it into
helpful acts of human kindness, who find the love that makes all service holy,
who yield themselves with gladness to the service that makes all love immor
tal.
“God bless you on this Christmas Day,
His presence ever with you stay,
His spirit comfort you with cheer,