The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-19

Game the sudden wOndrOus shining OF
the smile that lights the skies,
As the King g &c OF l msase1 1ss
Though thou didst it for the children.
thou hast done it unto Me.
while. a child on earth is living, thou its
living saint shall be-
AS a brilliant star makes a clear
path across The water from the very
feet of the man standing by the sea-
shore, SO the Christmas star shines a
straight course to truest greatness So
simple is it that the reader may dis
dain it as mere preaching. None the
less, the profound truth abides eternal
iy. that real greatness comes through
steady service. Not everybody may
serve conspicuously. and there is no
warrant that recognition will come to
siderins the fame Of service. but the
greatness of service. Patiently. tire
lessly, alertly. to seek out ways of be-
ing helpful is the one divine mark OF
the truly great character. Not only
does greatness come by service; but
service proves greatness A petty per-
son cannot rise to this conception OF
pouring out his powers in service that
is not tainted by any tinge Of self-seek-
ing. Whoever lives to serve finds him
self in the train Of that Greatest OF
men. who cried. Il am among you as
one that serveth."
Loves candle is better light to live
by than genius electric flash.
The gift of being able to give is
rich Christmas largesse. Some one
unknown to me has put it into verse:
Look on all His gifts around thee-gifts
that make it joy to live;
Best of all, o royal kindness. He has
n
He has filled thy hands with blessings
which He bids thee scatter wide:
Calls thee friend. and not His servant
friend to labor at His side
Looming large upon the Christmas
horizon is the figure of Mother Mary
until her Son was born. was earth's
Hottest ideal and example Of unselfish
love. What sacrifices mothers are
making the world around to create
Christmas happiness for others. Let
us lay a Christmas wreath Of red. for
love. and of green, for memory, upon
the name of motherhood today.
Every informed observer Of city life
knows we'll the pathetic spectacle Of
men and women, who have grown old
amidt fortunes favor, and who. often,
have done notable work in the world.
grasping the empty bubble of publicity
They want to be talked about Their
desire is to be seen of men. Scs>e OF
them employ press agents to keep them
in the public eye The appetite for
publicity grows by what it feeds on:
and so they are seen avidly scrambling
for the husks of public attention. How
much richer and more beautiful and
more desirable is the lot of the person
whose life has been one of unselffsh
service and who still. as the journey
of the years draws near to the sunset.
has not tainted the glow Of eventide
by thoughts of selfishness- To have
! lived in other lives. to have invested
ones personality in the welfare and
| prosperity of others. expecting no re-
turn, is to insure peace and joy which
| cannot be bought in any of earth S
markets
| The Christmas that is emptiest OF
self is fullest of the Christ spirit.
| Because this old world is hungry for
love, the simple art of being kind is
needed to carry Christmas through the
year. We may get along comfortably
without any further wisdom or guile
OF sophistication: but. ah. sorely do we
need the gentle offices of love as we
meet one another by the way.
Whose gives himself to the world.
follows the fashion which God set at
Christmas.
{ There Is q story old and sweet
Which the sens of men repeat
While the hurrying years go by,
OF q strange. iIlumined sky;
: OF host who sang Good will
Ger the flock on Bethlehem hill;
1 OF a manger, and a star.
And the trav'lers from afar:
This the story old and sweet
Which the sons of men repeat
So we come each Christmastide
To the manger low and wide,
I While 10 with shining raw
Lighteth yet the Bethlehem way.
And the Christ-child blesseth still
Those who climb the Bethlehem hill.
Bidding all. who fam would stay.
BY the cradle kneel and pray:
This the story old and sweet
I When the sons of men repeat