Clinton News-Record, 1965-12-23, Page 1THE RECORD 84th. Year
$4.90 .Per Ypor,41;) Cents Per Coi,y,1R .Page, Not 51' The Home Paper With the News CLINTON, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23,
THE NEW FM 100th Year
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It is virtually impossible to think of civilization without Christmas. It is
an annual experience and celebration that antedates our memory.
No one knows at what time of the year Jesus was born. Back in the fourth
century church leaders set the festival to counteract the influence of popular pagan
rites in which licentiousness, lewdness, gloom and utter despair were rampant. For
over 1500 years Christmas has been the 'unique observance of Christian people all
over the world.
It is true, that many observe the day and season in ways that are :not
particularly religious; The cry "Put Christ back into Christmas" is the theme of
countless sermons and addresses.
Perhaps the clergy, who do have moral responsibility in safe-guarding the
property and conduct of people, have been more guilty of bemoaning the secularism
of Christmas than others.
Yet consider what the world would be like if Christ had not come. Can one
conceive of a winter, whose bitter cold, grey skies, unemployment, lack of food, and
clothing is relieved only momentarily by New Year's day?
Would you care to live in a world where friendships were lost, no greeting
was exchanged, even once a' year? Would you like a town without a Santa Claus
tradition, the sparkle of childish eyes, the exchange of gifts, the hearty Merry
Christmas to you and your house?
Perhaps Christmas trees, holly wreaths, mistletoe, decorations, turkey and
plum pudding have no Christmas significance, but these innocent trappings and
festivities do much to encourage goodwill both in and out of the family.
If Christ had not come there would be no Christmas bonus, no increased busi-
ness, no extra .employment, when desperately needed, no basket to the unfortunate, no
remembrances to the sick, shut-ins and aged, no Christmas family reunions and no
festive holiday. In fact it is doubtful whether we would have hospitals, free clinics,
public schools, the Red Cross, public relief, literature and music.
Certainly our conception of the dignity of women, the freedom of cominon man,
the fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of man, as, well as a whole host of social
improvements would be centuries delayed or never realized.
The Four Freedoms would appear so idealistic and fantastic as unworthy of
the consideration of serious minded people. Christ's coming has of necessity brought
in these ethical, moral, 'and social implications.
Most of all, if Christ had not come, there would be no salvation for mankind,
because in the Baby of Bethlehem "God was in Chriht reconciling the world unto Him-
self." Without Him life would be meaningless and death would be utter despair.
"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men" and "eternal" life, The
message of God to the startled shepherds said "Behold I bring you good tidings of great
joy which shallbe to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a
saviour, which is Christ, the Lord."
Without His advent there would be no Christmas services, Christmas carols,
New Testament, or any Christian worship.
Perhaps we are carried away by excess of spending, partying and festivities,
but I for one am thankful to live in a world into which Christ came,
This thought is submitted by Murdock Morrison, minister of the Varna-Goshen Pastoral Charge.