Zurich Citizens News, 1965-12-23, Page 1No. 51—FIRST WITH THE LOCAL NEWS
ZURICH, ONTARIO, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1965
7 CENTS PER COPY
Summons at Christmas!
This is Christmas Eve. Christmas bells
throughout all Christendom a r e ringing
out the most joyous proclamation of the
gospel message.
"Fear not; for, behold, 1 bring you
good tidings of great joy, which shall be
to 01 people. For unto you is born this
day, in the eity of David, a Saviour, which
is Christ the Lord. (St. Luke 2:10-11)
Yes, 1965 years ago, the angels sang,
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men," and those
that followed the star in the east found
the Saviour, Christ the Lord, lying in a
manager, in the city of David.
But the first Christmas was a trying
and painful one, despite all the manifesta-
tion of glory, Was not Joseph summoned
from sleep to take unto himself Mary, who
gave virgin birth to Christ Jesus? And
were not Mary and Joseph summonded by
decree from Caesar Augustus to go from
Galilee to Bethlehem to be taxed? And
were not all men of good will summonded
by the angels to go to the manger in Beth-
lehem to find their King?
Mary and Joseph lived tinder a dicta-
torship in which life was cheap. Their in-
come was more than likely in the lower
third of the nation, When it came time for
the Baby, they were summoned to make a
trip to meet the demands of the govern-
ment. Whether the Baby lived or died was
of no concern to the society in which they
existed. As far as their own people were
concerned, Mary and Joseph could make
out for themselves.
But because God reigned, they were
not alone. The Wise Men brought gifts of
great treasure. There was great rejoicing.
And so tonight there is rejoicing and
there are visible tokens of Christmas. Most
business sections ha v e been bright with
Christmas decorations for days past. Holly
wreaths are found in many home windows,
bells on doors and gaily lit Christmas
trees, if not on the front lawn, visible in
the living room, from the street. Stores,
in most centres, will have closed for a
two-day holiday. Everywhere about us
there seems to be a new spirit, a new life
a new hope, a new joy. Tonight children
will o to bed assured that Santa Claus is
on his way and will come clown the shim-
nc.a, in our respective homes, to deliver a
1!ortion of his heavy load. Most of us will
!,a.l.sh all thaug'ti.s of external troubles
a*•ti for the next few days concentrate on
internal joys.
It is, indeed, a time of Merry Christmas.