The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-25
IN HIS NAME

IN HIS NAME
Of all the Christmas days that have
dswned throughout the centuries since the
coming of the Christ Child, this is the
saddest; of all the hours in the worlds
history when the heart of the universe has
travelled in anguish, the most poignant.
On this Christmas morning there is no
home in all the world that is free from sor-
row, where laughter and testing and
merrirnent may rightly have their place to
the exclusion of the One Who sits with us
at our tables, the Silent Guest, the Prince
of Sorrows, come to remind us of those
who are laying down their lives for free
DOM
Shall we then put off the garment OF JOY
and put upon us the badge of death? Shall
we, forgetting to be glad, weep as Rachel
wept for her children, refusing to be COM
forted? Not SO.
If we have learned anything since the
coming of the Christ Child that has made
it easier for us to live and has taken from
death the bitterness of its sting, it is this
that death is but an incident on the souls
iourney,-that we live today that it may
be easier for others to live tomorrow, and
that death is but sign-post on the road
to Immortality.
NV sword is bathed in Heaven. The
words of the psalmist ring down the ages,
and we catch the flash of angel wings and
the words of the very Prince of Peace come
to us: II came not to bring peace but
sword
Strange contradiction. Unfathomab1e
mystery And yet is it SO strange a con-
tradiction, after all In the light OF events,
in the day that has dawned when men have
enlisted under the banners of freedom to
give themselves that liberty may survive
and live on through all the ages, can we
not hear the triumphant song of the angels
ringing high and clear above the noise and
din of battle,-"Glory to God in the High
est and on earth Peace Goodwill to Menu
For what are we fighting if not for
peace? Unless this is to be the outcome,
surely blood is being spilled and life is be-
ing sacrificed in vain. But if this is the
guerdon, if peace is to reign in truth, If the
old is to pass away and a order of
things come to take it's place. then indeed
is there recompense for suffering.
We cannot blind ourselves to the horrors
of war with any specious words, with any
vague generalizations. When the Three
Wise Men came before the newborn King
to offer their gifts, besides gold and frank
incense, they brought myrrh. Throughout
His reign, Christ found bitterness and suf-
fering, HE was wounded for our trans
gressions," He was crucifed that we might
have life more abundant
Only by holding fast to our faith in the
ultimate good may we bear the agony of
the present Only by looking to the future
may we discern the real meaning of war
and reconcile ourselves to its demands.
when he assembled up on high He led
captivity captive and gave gifts to all men,"
And the greatest gift that He gave to
Us was the faith in our right to freedom
1t was the vision He brought with Him
when He came into the world it was the
vision He left with His apostles and which
was preached by His disciples. 1t is the
shining vision that is leading men in this
dark hour of struggle to go forth in His
Name and give their lives that the way
may be open for the second coming of the
Prince of Peace, the King Triumphant,
Who shall reign for all time in the hearts
Hf men of all. nations.