Norwich bulletin., 1922-12-26

St. Andrews church observed Christ mas Eve with services which will long stand out in the memory of those who attended because of their beauty and solemnity. At the morning servlce, Sun day. a weIl-trained choir of twenty-twn voices led the singing of the beautiful music of the Episcopal church and ths rector spoke of the mystery and expec- tation and love surrounding the newly born infant and showed how that soft ening of the heart prepares for the proper spirit of Christmas, which should be continued all through the year.
 In part Rev. r. c. Williams, the rec tor. said:
 We have again come to the Christmas season. with it's joy and good cheer. We hear again tke sweet Christmas carols aud the bright Christmas music, our hearts are softened with love and kind hess, for once in the year, there is gen ercl goodwill and well-Wshing. All this is because a Child was born nine teen hundred and twenty-seven years ago.
 We have the great modern nstitu- lion of the Christmas trade, and there Is much of the pagan and heatnen about some of the joy-making and feasting and amusement seeking; but back of all that is real and good in the Christ mas spirit is the fact of the birth of the Christ-Child.
 The shepherds, when they learned from the angels that the Child was born in Bethlehem, went with haste Q See him. and there offered their gifts and worship As they knelt in wonder before the Holy Child theirs was an adoration which brought their lives tn- to fresh contact with !the majestic Being NAa1f Eies of their service afresh to His ser vice. It is in this way that adoration glorifes human life. It calls into play all the faculties of the soul, leads them Diff from all interests and thoughts of self and centres them upon God. Let us go, as did the shepherds, to worship The King, and in our adoration, forget self and selfish things, Sa6 1ASke our lives count for something in dedication to Gods service.
 Selishness is at the bottom of all the Ills of the world. Particularly IS it the foundation of war-war which has con- hnued between tribes and nations, slaughtering, destroying, burning, rob ping men and women and children, to this day, But the angel told the shep- herds that the Holy Child came as the Prince of Peace. When God comes to
 
 God is truly worshipped and served there is glory to God and on earth peace As we know God through the revelation of His Son, He is the Father who is dishonored by the quarrels and fighting of His children. The most ob- vious and emphatic lesson in Christ's teaching is that there is no happiness in having and getting, but only in giv- ing, and in serving others. This is the Foundation of world peace.
 Don't you see that it all depends on true Christianity. When all the people of civilized countries have So entered Into the life of Christ that they adopt His law of love- unselfishness and ser vice. there can be no more wars.
 The petty war between brothers and sisters in the same family, which comes from thinking of self first, the broIls and misunderstanding in. church organ. iEations which come from losing sight . of the principle that we work not for ourselves, not for our own glory and advancement, not to be praised by oth. CTS as a good worker hut for the glory of God, for the honor and love of Jesus Christ, for the service of His church and the good of our fellow men, With such principle directing us and the question constantly in our minds What does Jesus think of this actior or thatT there can be none of tnoS, disagreeable things called church quar. rels So in the larger units of the world, between governments and na. tions, there can be no wars, if Christiar people will live with Christ and by HIs principles, and strive, not to conquer hot to take away from others not tc domineer, over themT but to serve, te give, to spend themselves foS others Nc real peace has ever come to men by tht sword; but only when men nave sur. rendered their wills to God, and giori. hed Him in their lives.