San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-12-26

place and fulfilling our mission and
helping to bring into the world the
| glad tidings" the Peace on earth and
good will toward men,"
This light and gladness exists for all
who are willing 10 make the effort, and
the time comes when purely personal
plans and selfish ambitions seem only
by-play, compared with this direct
movement from within. In order to
reach this higher Efe of service one
must brush away the selfish considera-
lions of self, that prevent the unselfish
consideration of others, and in that
newer light we see all about us the
tears and the sorrow, and instead of
condemning and judging and sentenc-
ing we begin to seek for the hidden
meaning of it all. For even suffering
may, does, contain for us lesson IL
we will with clearer vision look for it.
In the atmosphere and presence of so
much unnecessary suffering, would 1t
not be well at this season so frought
with blessing for us to question closely
for how much of it we are responsible.
not alone by Intentional kindness, but
by thoughtlessness, which is a polite
name for selfishness.
Bear We one another's burdens" and
"a new commandment give unto you,
that We love one another" are among
the most beautiful things ever written,
and they would revolutioniZe the world
We're they needed, even by those who
loudly proclaim themselves the follow
ers of the gentle NaZarine. In the
1900 years since they were uttered
there has been no improvement upon
them, as solution of the weary prob
lens that fret the world and break hui
man hearts.
1t is very little that we know of the
life of him whose birth is commemorate
ed today, but it was a life thrOnged
with business, How Divine" all ser
vice and all love. 1t is said that he
never smiled. Sad as is that thought,
we can but grow sad with him if we
stop to think of the crowding of the
weak and the unnecessary pain that
we give to the helpless and depend
ent.
Think of the necessity in the Nine
teenth century of legislation to make
us hlutl W WIN iONC No GNU
serve us so faithfully; of the necessity
of state and city laws to make us tend
er OF the children and become their
protectors; of the necessity of the Uni
ted States laws to save the birds from
wholesale slaughter, those sweet Great
ures who are not only at our mercy,
but who fill the summer air with song
and melody and cheerfully> chlrp
through the winter days of cold and
gloom.
Oh. the pity of it. Then to think
that women, mothers, wives and sis
tiers demand this. "As We do it to the
least of these, we do it unto me"
said the NaZarene. Let up stop ana
think of these things.
Only love and mercy can give us \
clear passport to love and mercy our
selves; only justice to the least and
Kindness to all can enable us to say
thankfully and gladly as we lay the re-
cord of our lives upon the threshold
of the unknown Here am l and my
sheaves with me-"
1t is alone by this gentle considera-
ton for all that we can make the flow
ers spring in beauty at our feet.
"And fair and tall, along the wall
the Christ's sweet flowers blow"
Thus it is that these Christmas days
sweet with memories and drowned in
dreams, should teach us the true lesson
of life. Be swift to love, and out of 1t
will come happiness to all who are
about us, and over our own tired and
burdened hearts will be spread the soft
white wings of peace