The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-12-24
Christmas and its Lesson
litor al Tue Richmond yirginian-

Editor a. The Richmond Nirgiiian-
Sir-it is not easy to PINT in words what the
coming Of the Yuletidc suggests IL the average
mai. Lar who describe the hallowtE re1no-
rieS which the joyous season awakens put in
concrete form the charm, The good cheer the joy
Of family reunions. and ether c"a'omitants OF
Christmas The heart that is not moved 1T inno
cent mrth touched at exhibitions Of childish
los. Us indeed Ia bc pited. And what shall be said
NJ the sou that doesn't catch the lessons that
thu Natal bay of Hethehems blessed Babe
iinprfssixefy teaches The true meaning Of The
holidays adv the Ideals it has inearnated
and the beautiful. u1selttsh spirit of liberty it
has brought To mankind are of ineaeuidhe bene-
lit. aud how earthly lite has been enriched there
~. The race a. mankind has been sioa in catch
ing the real meaning Of earth's greatest holiday
IS evidenced ny the way the Joyous season is
often celebrated ~ to-day BacehanaIan rev
rtrY, paudtri4g t. SELF and gluttonous Indulgence
~ appetite poor WAY to honor the birth
ds4 Of one Who IN Ills example ANA teaching put
before ihe human race its greatest ideals and
slnls.
Flow humbling to human pride ana BOW it
Nefsos our ideals Of greatness to read The simple
unsl"ssed story Of the bir'h Of Jesus in Bethle-
hems town, where on account al It's crowd
cougeated state at the tt1e in a oW.ly mangcr OF
erottu stable He was Graded. whtre later
The Masi from The East brought their kiugly pres
outs and the lowy shepherds the homage If
their hotlist hearts How unlike all worldly ex-
lefienee. ana how different from all other nara
tiees IL the simple beautiful and natural picture
given al that event As the gospel writer's, AZ
familiar the details "f the wonderful story
At there Is about IT al nndying freshness and
perennial interest as if it Lad tranSpirtd yes
tprda$ aud to-dHN We're hearing of II for
the first time The hight nf time but adds to the
influence and weight al th1 wonderful Life which
ia human form began in the Bethlehem tAanaer,
80 that now. nearly TIVE thousand years after His
birth. His ideals His teaching, His example. are
notwithstanding mankind and setting tfse keynote
81 true living for Adams race
Blessed holiday, and blessed Leader whose adj
AeIt II celebrates. witnesses great progress made
iN the world towards the Christ tdenis greater
than has been made before along these lines.
THAT immortal angelic song that ushered IN the
Babe of 3ethlehems natal day, 'Gior5 10 God in
the Highest, etc. is being realized practically
mere and more time flies. All hail the joyous
holiday Thank God IL witnesses Welt-Hiah uni
Nersal peace everywhere prevalent in thu earth.
carnege's recent gift of millions ia me interest
of the movement FOR peace IS signlheant.
There are some things that Christmas accentu
ates that will consider In closing this paper.
The first Is. Love. II Gods lose that prompt
ed the Eift of His Son. ana II was thu sons love
that brnugh, Him earth on His wonderful mis-
lnselhshness is another trait that the christ
mas season accentuates. 'or Christ Was the en-
bodiment Of uhselfshness. Gnselhsimess Is the
trait that We all sorey need.
l.iberality II another important lesson. God
gave at the first Christmas His best CIT. Jesus
vas all through His life constantly giving III Is
more blessed to give than to receive expresses
/ lis philosophy. If don't give miss the
true spirit of Christmas. Joy is another teaching
II tie happy season. for the angels were joyful
at fils birth and worship and alteration cele-
btated the blessed occasion.
The universally Of the brotherhood al man
- another teaching that the Yuletide inpresses.
Ter Jesus is the Elder Brother 1of Adams race
and bone OF their bone and flesh oflther flesh He
brought salvation To all mankind and tasted
death that all might live. Poverty, toll. widow
are all Shar.rs In the blessings that our happy
Yuleride reveals AS brought humanity by the
CHRIST IL, r. i'ARIIAM
Grafton. Va