Arizona republican., 1919-12-13
REVIVE SPIRIT OF FIRST CHRISTI MAS, SAYS MRS. CAMPBELL

Speaking at the Madison Woman's club yesterday afternoon on "The Christmas Spirit Mrs. Thomas E. Campbell, wife of the governor, made a plea for genuine Christmas spirit, a spirit based upon that of the first Christmas. Mrs. Campbell also urged her hearers to support the Associated Charities and other similar organiza- lions in their Christmas work, espe- cially among the children. 10 whom the Christmas season means so much.
 Mrs Campbell pointed out that it was just possible that the signs in the heavens which occurred recently, instead of indicating catastrophe, meant rather "a revelation for us that we are not needing" She added that man needs a Savior as badly this Christmas as he did 1900 years ago, and urged the club women to let the stars in the east guide them back to he spirit of the first Christmas.
 Just what is the Christmas spirit? ?" she asked. Centuries ago a babe was born in a manager, born of parents poor and lowly This child came in fulfillment of the prophecy, And thou, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among princes of Judah for out of thee shall come governor hat shall rule my people Israeli
 You all know the story of the wise men; how they asked. Where is He that is born king of the Jews. for we have seen His star in the east and have come to worship him. And when they came into the house they saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and fell down and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treas rH Isf
 gold and franlIincense and myrrh.'
 Here was a babe. come as the Savior of men, typical of simplicity and humanity, and here Co his feet came the Wise Men. not in doubt. but iull of faith. True. the Wise Men made Him precious gifts, but they were gifts of gratitude. For nineteen hun dred and nineteen years now Chris tians have been observing the birthday of this babe. born in the manager And for nineteen hundred and nineteen years they have been presenting gifts on this birthday; they have been true to form in the presenting of gifts, but after all these centuries how much worship is in the hearts of these Christians when they are observing Christmas and making their gifts How many of us pause to realize the fact that the babe is symbolical of lowliness in station. is symbolical of the protection of a God who sent this babe to redeem the world, and that it is He who is the charter member in the brotherhood of man? We have put in plain facts before us now the original Christmas spirit. Let us see how this spirit has developed.
 Right now everybody is looking for ward 10 Christmas. In our youth we formulate all our impressions, most of our ideals. If we could look into the hearts of the youth of today I wonder what Christmas spirit We would find making these final impressions. On George Washngton's birthday we get one holiday from school; Thanksgiving we do a little better, we have Thurs day, Friday, Saturday and Sunday But Christmas2 We get at least a week. often more. On Washington g birthday nobody dwells very long on the debt he owes to the father of his country; on Thanksgiving youth looks forward to his turkey dinner rather than backward to the hardships of his forefathers.
 "On Christmas he figures for weeks beforehand of all the fun he can have during the holidays and what he hopes 10 receive in gifts and wonders what in thunder he will get for mother and father and his best girl Does he think of the kid next to him fin school who is struggling for an education and who gets none of the grand things that probably come tc him? Unfortunately the fellow who gets the grandest things is too ofter the one who thinks the least about the fellow who gets nothing. 1 ask you plainly, is this not the spirit of youth today? There are always finC exceptions, but l am afraid the ma 3ority is so overwhelming that the ex- captions are lost in the maelstrom And these youths are the men of the coming Chrlstmasesl
 "Christmas is selfish and conven- tional. Can you find any spirit ir selfishness and conventionality? What woman in this audience. in the city oi Phoenix, in the state of Arizona Knowing pretty much what her hus- band is going to get her for Christ mas. would be willing to forego tho gift: to request of him the money the gift would cost and turn it ovei to the Associated Charities or somt other charitable organization, or go tt the Associated Charities and say, Tel me some home where ] can go ant with this money give cheer and com fort?' Put this question to yoursel and find out whether your Christmas spirit is selfish or not. l will answer i; with the action if you will. Th'