Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-23
THE MODERN BETHLEHEM
America Should Be the Birthplace of New
Era in the Brotherhood Of Man
By WILLIAM RAIDER

THRISTMAS cannot be despoiled Some
Othings are fixed and forever fastened in
memory and devotion. Despite the contra
dictions OF the Christmas Of 1914. the dear
old traditions Of the past will be remem-
bered and respected.
The men who are fighting each other on
the battlefields OF Europe once listened as
children to the merry music Of Christmas
They played by glowing yule-logs and under
Christmas trees and enjoyed the festivities
OF the day set apart the birthday OF Peace
Christmas like every great ideal, unites
mankind. The Babe of Bethlehem draws all
men to Himself, He is the Aurora the birth
Of dawn frescoed on the imagination of the
race, the golden dream Of universal Joy. Long
must we walt for that day. but it will come,
as day follows the night.
The French soldier In the trenches will
hear again the "Adeste Fideles," sung for
centuries on Christmas morning at the
Madeleine Noel will drown the guns
thunder. The British soldier will not forget
the English fireside-the red berries and
sweetmeats, and the faces OF father and
mother. who see in the fiery pictures OF the
roaring hearth the destiny of the boy far
away on Christmas Eve. German soldiers
will unite in their emotions with all other
soldiers on Christmas Day.
In the Baptstery Of Pisa the sounds on the
marble floor below are transmitted into
music above in the perfect dome. Not
otherwise is II with the transmitting, trans
forming and transhguFins power of Christ
mas Rifle shots are changed TO notes OF
peace, and deadly cannon to Joyous chimes.
Such is the influence Of world ideal.
The Belglans may not have an old-fash-
Toned Christmas. There win be little corn
in the stocking and few sparks win be
struck from the log Of Christmas wishes,
bat sustaining influence win be the mem
ory of "the days that are no more"
In America we rejoice. The ships of love
sent across the seas win make II easier Tor
US to sing ana pray and give. In a sense.
the people Of the United States will observe
Christmas for all the world. Here is the
Bethlehem OF the modern world Here, IL
anywhere. viii be nurtured those lasting
principles which viii bring peace TO ali
mankind. There is personality ip Christmas,
but the day stands, too. the cradle Of
great ideals. Bethlehem marks the turn Of
the tide. the beginning Of new ana greater
things.
Christmas IN the United States, in this
year 1914, should be a focal point OF eeles-
tial and earthly light. America should be
the nation OF the manger. the birthplace Of
a new epoch, the solemn inaugural of 4 new
era In the brotherhood OF man. Surely with
the awful shadow Of Europe over our Christ
mastlde the American people should be able
to perceive as never before the true sis-
nihcance q the natal day Of civilization
He who reverently hears the overture of
angels through the roar of commerce and
the discord of nations WIN have a new ap-
probation of the words. "To Us 8 son e
born"
II the world is 70 ne made better the
forces that viii make K better ere found in
ne slefusl arss q ths nativity.
nsn4 aad aalnE.
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