The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-23

cal significance of the Christmas story
holds mems interest nowadays. The
eternal human appeal of mortal need,
ana the inspiring conception of a
saviour who has come into the midst
OF 1t, ard as d very part of it, grips
the imagination of this generation,
which is so keen on the quest of broth
erhood. Touched with feeling of
our infirmities.T born kin to all our
natural life and needs=that is the Re
deemer for whom the race is yearn-
ing
Great gifts are common nowadays,
Inc average man can read of a ten
million dollar bequest to charity with
only languid interest There is nothing
new or sensational in the practice. In
stlnctive1y, the normal person realizes
that the greatest gift is not of money,
no matter how vast it may be. The
benefaction which counts for most is
the gift of a life. Only life can meet
llfe's needs. God might have sent a
new philosophy into the world to re-
deem the race or new organization
OF human society. or a new law on
fresh tables of stone. But his way was
better He sent the best that heaven
held of life-his own nature, persona
he'd in his Son. born as a babe, living
normal life. performing a divine min
lStry, and dying a vicious death. Jesus
brought life that men might have life,
and have it more abundantly
Tis life of which our veins are scant.
Life, more life, and fuller that we
want.
There cannot be a Christmas world
made up of uncIristmasy people. tt
IS Christmas in the heart that puts
Christmas in the air.
Programs and philosophers for max
ing over the world are as common as
flies in a molasses factory. The libra
ries are full of what Lord Rosenberg
lately called. dead books" upon theo-
ries for the improvement of society. |
II would take d fun issue of this pa per |
merely to print the names and objects |
OF the societies existing upon this con- |
tinent for the improvem lent of man I
kind None Of them. however. has /
made any material impression upon /
the children of Adam. The transfer
nation of which seers have prophesied |
ana poets have sung is to come only I
as the new Life which first touched /
Bethlehem becomes the inmost and /
out-working life of mankind. Gods
good gift of his Son is the only hope
for a transformed world.
The coming of Christ made Christ
mas. Every day and hour he is COM
ing anew to some saved soul and
Christmas is created again Christ
mas says that Christ has some and is
still coming
Christ himself came. Not to be min
stored unto, but to minister" and he
puts the same spirit into the hearts of
lis loyal followers. Not get. but give,
s the royal law. Today the world is
lied with a shining company of men
and women who are following in the
rain of Jesus. and spending them
selves as best they know how, in labor
or the welfare of their fellow men,
every Red Cross Stamp that appears
IN a Christmas letter is but an express
ZION OF this spirit So are all the
thousands of Christmas dinners that
VIII be given to the poor. So are the
ministrations of foreign
missions. So are the multitude of al
Rustic activities which, though they ]
re not labeled with the name of
,hrist, are yet born of his Spirit
There was light for all the world in
he shining of the Christmas star
'hrist's coming was not merely into 7
he Holy Land. He came into all the
-orld. True. much of his coming must
e on the feet of his disciples. but that
part of the Christmas message The
reatest truth of this day is a mission ,
~ truth.
He is sharing the work of the Christ
las angels who by any means is tell I
lg the world that God loves it,