Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1912-12-20
THOUGHTS ON THE APPROACH
ING CHRISTMAS.

ING CHRISTMAS.
The world once more salutes with 10
the approaching Christmas holidays Anc
while many hearts are anticipating mer
ry time, let them turn their thoughts t
some Of the lessons that the happy seasol
teaches.
Certainly no one can fully estimate tn
real worth Of Christmas. Its benign AM
gracious influence can never be reckonet
in facts and figures. The reason is know
by everyone-it is the birthday Of Heavens
choicest blessing.
The Christmas season brings us a mes
sage of peace.
With fancy as our guide we trace oul
way back through the dim gray years oil
the centuries, to the night of nights before
the day of days. until we stand with lowly
shepherds on the hills of Bethlehem.
1t is recorded that on this eventful night
a new star was seen in the sky just over
the small Judean town. The glory and the
brilliance of this new light not only at
tracted the attention Of the wise men Of
the East, but awakened the angelic hosts
Of Heaven. This vast multitude Of heav-
emily beings, chanting and singing their
triumphant hallelujahs and sounding their
notes of joy. few across the heavens. Much
of the music was untranslatable, so glori-
GUS and so harmonious it was But such
words as the shepherds could understand
came to them in this language and voice ;
GLORY to God in the highest. and on earth
peace. good will to men,"
If Christmas teaches anything to the
world. it is peace and good will to mankind.
There is an old tradition that Shakespeare
has couched in these words:
Some say that ever 'gainst that season
comes
Wherein our Savior's birth is celebrated.
The bird of dawning singeth all night long
And then. they say, no spirit can walk
abroad;
The nights are wholesome then no planets
strike.
No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to
charm
So hallowd and so gracious is the time"
Ever since the beginning of the influence
Of the Crystal Christ has there been a move
ment for universal peace that has gained
force with the passing Of the years Since
the unforgetable night, the night so rich
in its suggestiveness Of unseen powers,
men have been trying to reproduce on earth
the song Of the skies.
And while the war in the Balkans and
the rumor of European stife have marred
the peace record of the year, all Of Christen-
dom is hopeful of better New Year.
This peace message Of the angels is ap-
plicable to individuals as well as nations.
The Christmas spirit whispers sweet
remonstrance into the ears of all who
carry in their hearts resentments and muir
murings.
1t reproves the class makers, who look
disdainfully upon their fellow-mortals
1t admonishes husbands and wives,
brothers and sisters and friends. who may
be drifting apart because of quarels and
misunderstanding.
To the whole world, both nations and
individuals, comes the Christmas call to
lay aside all bitterness and begin life anew
on this peaceful Holy Day.
The merry season has a message Of love
for the world
Some one has said, blessed is the season
which engages the whole world in a con-
spiracy of love-"
Love is the one virture that reminds man
most of his Creator. And it is good that
an occasion is offered in each year for en-
phasis to be placed on this divine trait in
man.
We are enriching our own lives when we
60 out of ourselves to bless others. The
world would perish should men fail to be
loving and kind In fact. God only knows
that we love Him through our love for hu-
mainly.
Christmas gives us an opportunity to
teach all men the old, old lesson of love.
The world is drawn nearer to Heaven when
it is taken up and EMBODIED in the richness
and fullness of human attention on Christ
mas Day.
Consider the ennobling influence that
comes to all hearts who enter joyously in
the opportunity of the Holy season. Edwin
Markham expresses well the blessing that
comes into the souls Of men through par
ticipatine in the spirit Of Christmas Day :
II built chimney for a comrade old,
did the service not for hope or hire.
And then travelled on in winters cold;
Yet all the day glowed before the fire. :"