Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-12-23
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.
ISiQllY Cir. xnn.nai

Shristmas is the greatest OF all our
HoAoays because of it's association I.
~ time OF such commanding power
that II enforces at least the outward
EMO" OF alteration. Yet it is in mem
DRY OK the birth Of lowly man. cruci-
heo at last as malefactor; one who
oied In !nfamy and who was raised In
siory-so that now his name is az an
eternal sun filing the earth with light,
Ills lie Is the marvellous miracle of all
the ages; it points tleaway of eter-
mai NE, and beneath its power the
skepticisn OF the centuries cruntIes.
Inc humble Nazarene had not many.
friends. The greatness of his soul
gave him isolation; but he had within
MIN the society Of God. He held moth.
ing back from the sacrifice: he estab-
hsned himself as the worlds greatest
nenefactor. and everywhere he Is
called Emmanuel.
enough is reported in the life of
Jesus to warrant belief that he was
not Tree of real struggle ito keen
himself unspotted from the wor,d :"
The signal merit OF his life is that h.
overcame-that at the close of his
days he came off more than connu.n,,,
he set up in the wilderness OF time an
Immortal example-an inspira tional
heavenly example. unclouded bv any
night. and fadeless The greatness ~
tne example enlarees as time masses.
II IS as an enduring monument. who's,
1ashlon never changes, which men
c'eanse with their tears and hurn,st,
with their souls. This is his nam.
nonored and thus is he glortfied BIZ
the amalsamation with him Of the no.
oility OF the life OF men, generation nv
generation.
AS man thinketh in his heart. so
IS his Christmas. But no man can
think meanly enough to be WHOLLY.
superior to the splendid atmosphere of
the festival! The voice OF God ,s heard
the world around in merry Christmas.
1t Is the festival Of all festivals when
IT is popular to be good. It is the fest,-
val OF all festivals, therefore. that ia
most insptrat!ona! and mos, gratifying.
40 man thinketh In his heart at
christmas time. SO Is he: and it is
splendid that at such time so many
people think generously of the Door.
ana turn toward them as they are
moved to turn toward Jesus.
The good fruits Of the year are
carried over to another year ano "a
.hotner harvest and the Lords abund-
oance Is multiplying in the earth,
AND so 1t Is time for THANKSGIVING.
Ilits at Christmas time are nothing
10 the g1ver except ~ they bear the
sweetness and the Joy Of the love
e1emplihed in the world by the one
whose precious memory the day com.
memorates. The Christmas spirit is
not denuied expression. and 1t can not
De measured in silver and gold. Even
the children. pictured as looking well
night hopelessiy into the shop windows,
ask little er:.: from tie fellowship
with the Christmas spirit.
Whatever men may say about It,
and with whatever carelessness they
may put away suggestion. what they
really prize Is love that 10 faithful,
that Is uncontaminated, that will en-
dure poverty. that will suffer all
things-love that 10 like unto the love
OF him who made the cross the en-
blem most precious to the herats Il
the millions upon millions who have
sought to carry on his work In the
world. Therefore IL 10 1t ChS1stmas
time they ind 1t in their hearts to do
some act to which their hearts may
sive approval ana because OF which