The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1876-12-24
Peace on Earth to Men Of Good Will


There is g very striking difference between
the Catholic and Protestant rendering of this
beautiful cauticle sung by the angels to the
shepherds watching their focks at the mid
night hour of our Redeemers birth.
Peace on earth and good 'cill to me" is the
version in King James Bible, while all Catholic
translators record it as it is given above.
In view of this discrepancy between words 30
important aud SO consoling, it is we'll to ex-
anime each rendering separately, and see which
of the two (apsrt from correctness) IS the more
consonaut with our ideas of God and with ou'
faith in the divine mission of His Son.
Name will can only be called good when tits
in harmony with the will of God. and it must
necessarily be called only evil when it is OPP
possd to that Holy will.
If we look over the earth, recalling to mind
the different nations that occupy it's surface
where shall we find men of good will-men
whose lives are according to the teachings of
God, or whose thoughts and desires are in har-
mony with His divine attributesf
God wishes man to be just. Man is made in
the image of God, and justice should shine con-
spiouous in the life of every mortal The jus
tice of the Father should find reflection in
every Christian soul, which, like tue mirror,
would then constantly show forth this sublime
attribute until the whole world sboue in its
brightness. But where is there justice to-day
Not in nations whose only aim is power and
aggran azement even at the expense of law and
humanity. Not in men whose only ambition is
to grasp and hold all that they can reach even
though they tear their ll-gotten wealth from
the widow and the orphan. Not in govern.
! ments which, ignoring even the suggestions OF
justice, defraud their Victims of right, liberty
and happiness.
! Sinless God wishes man to be pure. The One
who walked upon earth taught this sublime
lesson in every action of His life, and con
irmed it by His dying words to His Virgin
Mother and His stainless disciple, st. John.
| Where shall we look for purity on earth to-
day A few Christian families in the bosom of
the Church guard this treasure jealousy, and
| a few scattered communicative compared to
the millions wandering in sin-hold it dearer
tn an their lives, bat outside of these GASES OF
life's desert, whore does purity residef
Men, civilized men, boast of its desecration
and whole nations ignore its beautiful presence
The youth of this generation consider its ex
lstence q myth, and the aged count as victories
the many times they needed not its supplica
tions Even maidens and mothers no Longer
regard it as woman's brightest ornament, and
thus thrust aside from the heart and the
hearthstone, it is almost forgotten among the
ways of the world.
Almost forgotten! But, thank God, it sti!
walks beside the white yelled Spouses of Chris
ar still adorns the lives of those consecratet
and chosen to serve Him at the altar.
God desires man to be holy. The Holy Ghos
residing in the heart, prompts to a life of per
? feet holiness, of remembrance of Gods pres
ence aud existence
IL Where do we Il nd holiness Does this blesse
y Christmas time find souls preparing for Tn
coming of the God of holiness
Are they not rather wildly forgetful of a
eternal truths in the enjoyment Of transitor
J amusements, and instead of giving " glory
God in the highest by lives of meditation an
: virtue, are they not rushing about in Gag
q search for more and more pleasures, eve
J. though they be of the lowest
= Where, then, are the men of good 'ciH7 Nc
% surely, among those who ignore justice al
n purity aud holiness, and who live to graft
er self instead of pleasing God.
:, We know God gives his temporal blessln
=. to all men, to the unjust as well as to the ia
~ but his peace, his spiritual gifts, be reserV
only to a few.
AZ The Christmas gif6 promised by the ang
III was peace-diviue peace-butit was surely
ry promised to those who cannot possess it, .
he the wicked have no peace.
re To men of good will it Gomez indeed as o &
as from the Father in his justice, from the Son
oct His purity, and from the Holy Spirit in
af- holiness.
no A triple gift, because it crowns a triple Ell
"a and emanates from the bosom of the tri1
49, God.
~ "Peace on earth to men of good will"
NY we realize the first utterance of these inspi
'st. words, and fancy hearing them resound in
49,, midnight skies of Asia, We know that
naughty Herod received no blessing "
them, while the humble Magi gathered
). treasures of grace which led them to the
"eV' feet of God.
hls As they are repeated this Christmas nj
art. raa