The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-12-27
CHRISTMAS EXERCISES
OF ZION EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, GIVEN IN THE
COLLEGE CHAPEL, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 49, 1919
&C. B. W.

Another of the remarkable programs
which have marked the n1ilestones in the
growth and development of Zion Educa
tlonal Institutions since their reorganization
three and one-half years ago, was rendered
in Zion College Chapel on Friday afternoon,
December 19, at the close of the first period
of the present school year, 1919-1920.
The theme depicted the manner in which
Christmas is celebrated by the various ma
tons of the earth, and then brought out the
real meaning of Christmas, as taught and
discussed in Zion from the platform and
around the family hearthstones.
1t was shown that in Zion we not only
celebrate the birth of Our Savior, Who was
crucifed and buried rose again and ascend
ed from the Mount of Olives after an earth
ly ministry of three years, but that we are
eagerly looking forward to His Second
Coming.
And while they looked stedfastly toward
heaven as He went up behold two stood
by them in white apparel;
Which also said, We men of Galilee, why
stand we gazing up into heaven? this same
Jesus, which is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so in like manner we
, have seen him go into heaven-Acts lilo, IL.
Signs are multiplying on every hand show
ing that Christ'S Second Coming is near,
even at the very door, and it is this mes
sage which Zion is sending forth today to
the nations of the earth through the medium
of her ministry and the printed page.
All programs rendered by Zion Schools
are intended wildly to convey some great
spiritual lesson, and in this respect they are
vastly different from those witnessed in
other schools over the land.
The platform on Friday afternoon was
simply but beautifully bedecked with ever
greens, festoonings Christmas stars and
other decorations. A fireplace with cheer
full red glow stood at the rear of the plat
form, in which were real logs, and on the
mantel were Christmas candles.
Promptly at two o'clock, the pupils, head
ed by the Kindergartners, came filing in
and occupied the section of seats on either
side of the platform. /"
Vice President Darms then came upon the
platform and read from Gods Inspired
Word, Luke the Second Chapter, Verses
Eight to Fourteen, after which he offered
the Invocation.
The First Christmas
The exercise was opened by the Senior
Preparatory Chorus singing, "Joy to the
World"
Conveying an idea of the first Christmas,
a little kindergarten chap of five stepped to
the front of the platform, and speaking de-
liberately, in a voice which could be heard
distinctly throughout the auditorium, while
he turned this way and that to face every
part of the audience, with the composure
of an experienced speaker, recited the fol-
lowing passages in quaint childish way
which was irresistible:
And there were in the same country shep-
herds abiding in the field keeping watch over
their flock by night.
And 10, the angel of the Lord came upon
them, and the glory of the Lord shone round
about them: and they were sore afraid
And the angel said unto them, Fear not:
for, behold, bring you good tidings of great
joy, which shall be to all people
For unto you is born this day in the city OF
David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you: We
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling cloth
And suddenly there was with the angel
multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying,
Glory to God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will toward men-Lu1e 2:8-l4
Three Shepherds bearing slaves and ap-
propriately costumed to represent the shep-
herds of Judea, came upon the platform.
Two sat on the ground in the attitude of
s1umber, while one stood keeping watch,
as a lad behind a curtain in the rear sang
in a clear, well modulated voice the carol
beginning with the stanza:
"WhiIe shepherds watched their hocks by
night
All seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down,
And glory shone around"
Fifteen kindergarten children then came
forward, with bright stars in their hands,
and sang:
Gust as the stars shining
On the first Christmas night,
So we are shining, shining,
Shedding our golden light"
CHORUS:
Shining, shining, shining,
Just like the stars above
Making the world around us
Happy with light and love-"
Russia
AS descriptive of the manner in which
Christmas is celebrated in Russia, a young
girl, attired in the plain costume of a
peasant, came forward and recited in very
clear, expressive voice the following:
II will tell you how we celebrate Christ
mas in Russia. Your customs seem strange
to us. Probably ours will seem equally
strange to you.
''In Russia, we make merry for three
days. We have big supper on the twenty
fourth, but eat no meat. Everyone carries