South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-12-25
CHRISTMAS AS THE SUPREME
HOLIDAY.

South Bend did itself marked justice
in the execution OF its municipal
Christmas tree program. Nature con
spired 10 make il a success. From all
sections Of the city, from all the
churches, and from all nationalites,
ard stratas of wealth and poverty, the
citizenship gathered to pay homage
TO the birth of the Babe. Christmas
has been dedicated here. as through
out the world, as Christianity's su-
preme holiday-the supreme holiday
OF the municipality. and of all creeds
and races. Even unDelief yields to
the custom, here. what il has long
denied TO dogma.
over all the earth today, in spite
of war, the spirit of Christmas fills tho
hearts Of more people than are ever
at any other time moved by any
other single emotion.
Christmas is no longer the exclu-
sive custom Of the church; it has been
appropriated as the festival of all hui
nlanity
This universally Of celebration of a
day originally set apart by those hold
ing a particular religious belief is a
unique and profound phenomenon.
Not stopping TO think of its relig-
ious significance. millions appropriate
the essential gospel of Christianity
proclaimed at the nativity, and mill
lions who reject the theological status
of Christ. taught by the churches eel
citrate the spirit of the day that saw
His birth.
The shock TO our every sense be-
cause nations are locked in deadly
conflict on this day only proves and
emphasizes how deep the spirit of the
day is set in our souls. 1t is sad that
there should be war on Christmas;
but it is well that Christmas comes in
the midst Of war.
For above the roar Of shot above
the curses, the cries of the wounded
and the means of the dying. there
speaks today a still. small voice" to
every soul. and il whispers peace"
Through the black smoke of battle
there shines today steady star, and it
promises hope.
Above the selfish ambitions. the
heartIess schemings. the jeaIousies. the
hates the miscalled patriotism and
the false bravery of the world war
there broods today a spirit OF broth
erhood that viii not be wholly unfelt
or wholly cast aside.
There is no other day in the year
that means so much.
To the young it brings glee. to the
aged calm and TO all cheer and good
feeling.
1t is a day that in its spirit and all
it's traditions is distinct and apart
from all other. days, the one day
in which affection and charity rise
above the selfish passions of life, the
day in which the sentiments instilled
by Christ come closest to the surface
OF human nature.
Humanity is strangely ignorant of
its simplest emotions In a vague
way we realize that real pleasure
comes only from a consciousness of
doing right, but we are apt TO look on
this precept as not very practical in
everyday affairs. There is no rule of
conduct more practical. Charity gives
real pleasure any day in the year. So
does the right exercise of any other
emotion and impulse.
This is good day 10 make the ex-
pertinent. The world may be full Of
want that "a little sacrifice may con-
siderably ameliorate. and that we may
see the need and respond.
If we would all do on this day. if
on no other. what the spirit of Christ
and the laws OF human nature prompt
in the matter of charity. we might
learn that even poverty has rot wholly
a curse.