The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-12-20
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON
For December 20 is. 1.-THE Birth of
Jesus."-Luke 2:8-20.
Christmas Bells Are Victory Bells.
By WILLIAM r. ELLIS.

FOr december ZZ Is Inc blEtn Oh
Jesus.''-Luke $500.
Christmas Bells Are Victory Bells.
For two thousand years the Christ
mas bells have been ringing in proph-
ecy: now they ring in realization!
Peace for all the world is here. The
victory bells that still are. ringing are
also peace bells, taking up the glad
refrain of the centuries. Nowhere on
earth is there a malign nation design
ing to Cypress or invade or usurp.
While all the world makes Christ
mas plans, there sits an international
conference.-the most significant since
the shepherds met the Holy Family in
the stable of the Bethlehem khan
to assure that tranquility and good
will prevail permanently. After the
great war is a great peace. The coun-
cn of nations now in session is under
taking definitely to preclude future
strife.
This tremendous fact, which over
shadows all our Christmas-keeping,
wounded and war-weary world can
scarcely grasp it. That this Christi
mas, the most Christmasy ever known,
has come as a contamination of the
hopes and prayers of millions thru
out the ages is well-nigh beyond be-
lief or imagination. Heaven should
be stormed this year by praises and
acclaims almost rivaling the celestial
tumult created on Holy Night, when
first the world was given news of its
| supreme Hope.
What 1t Now Means to Bethlehem.
Certain matters Of fact crowd them
selves upon our attention this Christ
mas, SO that there il scarcely oppor-
tunity to muse over the significance
of the Birth of the Babe and its cir
| cumstances. For the place of his ma
fixyifx nd
For centuries an oppression more
cruel than the Roman has held
| sway over the land made holy by the
footprints OF Jesus. Within three
years, hundreds of thousands Of
jewellers therein have died of starva-
misery as this bountifui western con-
tinent does not know. have been
endured by the gaunt inhabitants of
the former home of Jesus.
Now neither the Roman census
taker nor the Turkish official af-
town of Bethlehem. Men do not have
to hide food one from another. Sus-
picion and intrigue have given way
to good will and mutual confidence.
Food is abundant and freely display
ed. British soldiers, from the far
flung limits of the empire stalk ia
miliarly thru the streets where once
the shepherds and the Magi alked.
and their presence Is sign OF pro-
lection and Of liberty. The house Of
bread" which is the meaning of
Bethlehem. has again become the
home of abundance. The artisans sit
in their little shops cutting mother
of-pearl souvenirs for visitors to send
to the ends of the earth. A new at
mosphere Of freedom and prosperity
and happiness has come to the town
OF the nativity, in fulfillment Of the
Christmas prophecy.
So 1t is also in the beautiful little
city Of Nazareth, with its Fountain of
the Virgin still flowing abundantly in
the square, even as it did when the
Virgin Mary carried q water jar to
its stream. All around the hills
which shut in the community seem
to be fresher and greener than ever;
for. since the battle Of Armageddon.
fought on Esdraelon's historic plain
by General Allenby's troops. the peo-
pie have been free and safe and fed.
the Turks and the Germans having
been driven out.
This Christmas sees every square
yard Of the land once trodden by the
feet OF Jesus delivered from imme-
mortal tyranny; and entering upon
a new day of promise. Did the angels
who sang SO jubjlantly on Holy Night
soresee this greatest of all Christmas
days?
The People Of the Babe.
It is easy to imagine a commotion
in celestial realms this Christmas.
Heavens highest hopes are being full
filled Prophecy IN become realiza-