Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-25
The True Christmas.

Each year brings the world nearer to
tie ideal of the Prince OF Peace, the ideal
Of universal brotherhood. Wars may oc-
cur from time To time and nations con-
tinuc TO arm themselves. but steadily the
thought develops in the minds of men
throughout the range of civilization that
lighting is wasteful senseless, incon-
elusive method of adjusting differences
and that righteousness and justice can
be maintained by other means.
Over nineteen hundred years have
passed since Christ was born. bringing
the message of peace on earth and good
will to men. Before His time the world
knew no such doctrine. There was the
law of might. and might prevailed. There
were rights. but rights We're dependent
upon the strength of arms and often
suffered. The strong arm governed in the
affairs of men. The doctrine that Christ
preached was one of enlightenment. an
appeal TO the reason. addressed to the
higher self of man. That Christianity
spread so rapidly after the first strug-
Cling start is proof that men were eager
for such a teaching. and that they longed
for the opportunity TO live their lives
placidly and honestly in a spirit of broth
erhood.
Those who are discouraged by the oc-
casional outbreaks of strife between ma
tons should take comfort in the thought
that there is steadily increasing senti-
ment fog pacific adjustments. that the es-
sential spirit of Christianity is at work
throughout the world to bring men into
more reasonable relations. and that in the
international as we'll as the private con-
ditions of life the doctrines that were
first preached in Judea nineteen hundred
years ago are becoming steadily more
dominant
Christmas day naturally causes a re-
Election upon the state of humanity as
affected by the teachings of Him whose
birth is celebrated. Men are unquestion-
ably kinder and more thoughtful toward
one another now than ever before. There
is more charity in the world, and more
justice, and more earnest disposition TO
bring humanity up to higher level.
There is more widespread education as a
result of this spirit of helpfulness, and
there is less suffering Men are devoting
themselves and their lives to the study
of the needs of the less fortunate and to
the amelioration of their condition. In all
lands practical Christianity is working to
the end literally of bringing peace on
earth and good will TO men.
The observances of Christmas are mere
tokens of the essential spirit of the day,
which is more than the mere twenty-four
hours of this particular calendar time.
and extends throughout the year. No
matter how elaborate or costly the gifts
that arc exchanged. how beautiful and
impressive the services in the churches,
how extensive the decorations, Christmas
is no more sincerely commemorated than
by him who ON this day pauseS TO re-
member what il means, who pays tribute
in his soul TO the glorious example of
ChriSt's life and resolves to conduct his
own as nearly possible in imitation of
il. 1t is the personal Christmas celepra-
ton that counts, the individual effort 10
apply to everyday life that which under
lies the occasion. that which began at
Bethlehem over nineteen centuries ago.