Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-12-21
CHRISTIAN ErNDEAVOR.
Young Peoples Weekly.1

Topic; Dec. 25: Truths Taught by
Christmas.-Luke 2: 500.
There is one very important respect
IN which Christmas differs from any
other of the days we celebrate. Most
OF our holidays have purely local sig
nihcance. Our Thanksgiving Day and
Fourth of July Lave no meaning to
anybody but ourselves. Moreover,
different sections OF our country OBJ
serve special days which for some reas-
on have come to have for them mean
ing apd a vaue unsbaied by the rest
of the ma ion.
Christmas is the worlds holiday. The
customs of observing it may diff,r, but |
the ''gocd tidings of great joy" are for
all people, and carry happiness every
where II e birthday vf JESUS is as
much a time for rejoicing for the child
rem Ct Japan and China and Africa, as
for the boys and girl of Anne RIGA And
so tie first lesson Ct Christmas seems
to be The fact Cf human brotLe no, d.
We nay d fer in habits and training
and complexit n and develo, Llent, but
God is the Fath4r and Christ the
elder brother o. us all.
The saying of Jesus that giving is
more blessed than re- ewing has seemed ,
TO many something of a paradox, and | i
yet Christmas will teach us, if we take
is lesson to heart that tie words ex- ,
press literal truth. The custom OF h
giving gifts on this day is almost uni n
ersal throughout Chiistend m, and it O
from this giving, not from receiving, a.
hat our happiness springs. For this o.
ne day in TIE year, tie most selfish of #
Is taste the joy Of ding some thing for OF
theirs, ard Christmas day is never a h,
'sappontment unless we get to think
y and planning more for oar own at
!easue than for lhu for somebody ";
Sc. A.
Christmas lay teache- Is that hap NV
ness is Ill proportion to The love in
If Learts If we are TO make it q real 10,
ne Of rejoicing, we shall have to for fe
It all old grudges or else forgive them. fill
feeling Of anger or bitterness or re- an
L INV ~ " tnlS time Is Ike hhrsh bis
scord sounding out in some sweet
lrlstmas carol. 1t spoils the harmony. me
e say IL ourselves that for this one fol-
y we will let go Of everything that is yoi
I'd Or harsh or unkind, and give love a =
right of way. Surely the happi- VIII
SIS which springs from keeping this hin
olu1ion should teach us the best way the
have glad hearts the year through. ice
Perhaps the many less ms of Christ how
IS might be comprehended in saying Gan
It it teaches us that love is the great on
thing in the world If we have any be
apprehension Of its meaning, our
'rtS will rise heayenward in loving "
tude, Christmas not only marks spell
beginning OF the great Sacrifice ing
ch opened heaven to us, but also "Mi
beginning Ct the life which sets the The
ldard for cur daily living way
IS not very long step from loving Chri
to loving men, If we are honest havil
rateiul to our heavenly Father it is bette
to tender and patient with our pota
hers and sisters, even though their yon'
against us number seventy times ycun
n. The first Christmas carol be- appe
with "Glory to God but The next spiri
n was "Peace On EARTH" And in her {
ouble motive of love that reaches good
nd love that reaches out, Christ Chris
teaches us what earth may become y
| Gods will is cone here az in Take
W. druggi
isss. Z