South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-12-24
ULIIOLD the OCUT1 CTIey
II cry, of Bethlehem!
The Star of Faith and
Love, of brotherhood, of
Charity and Kindness! and
behold around. about, its
fair. etfulgent rays-The
Christmas Spirit-Ighting
all the World!
Douglas Mallock
Douglas Mallock


M cses last night the lighting of the tree,
the Christmas carols and the song, the
illuminating star in remembrance of Bethlehem
South Bend enters formally upon its 1916 Christ
mas festival
In forty pulpits today the message of the COM
ing cf TIE Babe VII revibrate. The great choirs
and small will sing the hosannas. Congregational
thoughts will revibrate to the institution of the
Christian era. All the world will be glad-al the
world, yes, in spite of great sections that are
drenched IN sorrow.
The opening Of the Christmas celebration each
year by the lighting of public Christmas tree is
very mUch as it should Be. Christ came to all
mankind. IF He knew of sects. denominations or
creeds He never dwelt upon them IN his ministra-
tons. They aftermath and not of His Gre
alton. Christendom recognizes Him as the Son of
God sent to redeem the world. Christmas has al
ways been day of rejoicing to all the people.
Fitting, indeed il is that this public celebration
should precede the day; precede the celebrations
IN the churches the homes-everyvvhere South
Bend IS of a comparatively few cities that
established this formal opening of the season
Thanks, the public should say and we will ven
say it IN behalf of the public; thanks to the
municipal recreation committee the few churches
that have participated the choirs and the singers
general public included-it has worked out splen-
didly, now, for the third time.
n CELEBRATING the birthday of the Prince of
- Peace the human mind turns naturally to
resentment Of the Dogs of War. Whatever may
be the excuses for bloodshed at other seasons
of the year, they vanish into air with the APP
preaching spirit of Christmas. The gospel of
Love one another IS not easy to practice behind
bayonet or gun. Christmas at other times may
bring the mind to lowering about some other
feature of The world of life, but despite the high
cost of living the cost of high living, the recent
election, and promises of the New Year, the one
thought of ali is the end of the war.
Ii is the season of peace, but half the world is
in arms, eager to Kill, as it has been now for three
Christmases. But the great festival draws near,
the struggle eases a little, and the combatants
seem to realize once more that they are brothers.
For brief day or two the hatred and bIoodshed
of the last three years seem unreal. Soldiers
pause and seem to wonder what they have been
fighting for.
Il will be so this Christmas, doubt and hearts
will warm toward each other across the trenches
There will be songs of good cheer instead of
curses and friendly calls instead of battle cries
Formal truce need not be expected but it would
seem sacrilege to order an attack Christmas
day Emope's best manhood is at the front, and
there is reverence there And then, the next day.
perhaps the guns will thunder and men will be at
each Others throats again
Let's enjoy the illusion while we can. Christ
mas is a sweet and ennobling influence enwrap-
ping the earth. Il is the great paciher. 1t brings
TO ali men oblivion of wrongs and feuds and
grudges. 1t brings unselhshness For day IN
the year we wish harm to no human being or
dumb bruie-we ish only happiness and
fort For one day We take mfeigned pleasure in
giving things away, ard know that it is in truth
more blessed to give than to receive. For one
day it is easy for Christian civilization to be
Christian.
The next day men and nations may be hateful
and vengefu and sordid and heathenish again, but
not on Christmas day On that day We live.
And maybe "every day'n be Christmas by and
by"
*
II AVE the customs of Christmas become mere
/ / conventionalities? That is the rub. We do
things ike mechanical toys without asking the
why and wherefore. We follow ike sheep the
leadership of some foolish friend who either has
more cents and less sense than the average, be-
cause we are the slaves of custom. Christmas is