The Topeka state journal., 1916-12-25
CHRISTMAS.

America and all the world, from the
lips of chapIains of the armies, from
the mouths of missionaries of the far
east, from the heart and soul of all
civilization, are today poured forth
words of praise, hope and thanks
giving 1t is the birthday anniversary
of Him who lived and died that hu-
manity might be saved. Nineteen
hundred sixteen years ago. Jesus
Christ, Prince of Peace, prophet of
progress, entered. upon his first earth
ly day wra pped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.
He lived. He grew. He taught. He
gathered followers. Men hated Him;
despised Him; forsook Him. Men
prosecuted Him; pressed down
crown of thorns upon His brow. Men
crucified Him; gambled for His gar
ments; buried Him in I black grave.
Failurei Tragedy! But He lives! For
nearly 1000 years He has lived-the
greatest force in history.
For the past two years, cynics have
professed difficulty in seeing beyond
the black curtain of Europe's war
clouds the prophecy from On high,
GLORY to God in the highest, and on
earth peace, good will toward men,"
They forget the counseling:
'And when ye shall hear of wars and
rumors of wars, be ye not troubled:
for such things must needs be; but
the end shall not be yet.
For nation shall rise against ma
ton, and kingdom against kingdom:
and there shall be earthquakes in
divers places, and there shall be fam
ines and troubles: these are the be-
ginnings of sorrows"
Europe torn and bleeding. Europe
divided against itself. Sovereins
and nobility chanting a hymn of hate.
Civilizations fighting tools so terrible
as to draw the despair of mankind.
Civilizations inventions so effective as
to prohibit future crimson conflicts
Peace craved by both sides. Neither
daring to sue for it. This is the para
doxical situation on Christmas day.
1916 A. D., as belligerents and neu-
trails weigh in mind Americas appeal
for self-proposed and mutually-made
peace which shall be lasting. Unpar-
alleled in history, America, the cham
pion, stands not with her back to the
wall in making her plea but at the
head of those other countries, them
selves war-prosperous but, alike, war
sick. There is food for cynicism
But looking awey for an instant
from the foreign battlefield, one may
see those other boys on the streets
scraping up refuse, or selling news
papers. or backing shoes, or begging
food, or shivering in a doorway, or
committing crime. Often they have no
chaplain. Often they have no crust of
bread
The story of Christ is a long one and
wonderful one and it is not finished
The spirit. of christmas is universal
and win go on and on. 1t hits the man
who knows it not. If he play not the
Christmas game, he misses the fun
And he realizes that he has missed it.
The little ragamuffin of the wayside
feels the vibration of the season in
the air, tho the wind pierce her scanty
clothing. She lets go a sob if the void
in her life is left untitled. Christmas
is the fufcrum of joys and sorrows
There they find accentuation.
Now that Christmas is really here
women are easing the tension of bar
gain counter efforts. Husbands are
removing their eyes for a moment
from contemplation of diminished
bank accoGnts. Children find time 10
relax from their super-normal good
ness and resume their natural virtues
On this day, if not before, the true
spirit of Christmas steps in upon them
AS they sit down to the big meal, they
ask: What it is all about?" If the
head of the family be wise, he will, as
his first move toward solution of the
question, try to recall that brief word
of blessing he learned to say at meal
time long ago.