The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1923-12-21
THE JUDGE
REVIEWS
THE LESSON

Christ"
Golden Text: Ask OF me. and J
will give thee nations for thine in
heriiance. and the uitermost parts OF
the earth for thy possession. Psalm
rs
1T Is very consistent 20 the sub
icci Of our lesson that we discuss the
universally of our faith on Christ
mas Day. the one great international
holiday Of the world Christmas has
never been confined TO national bound
aries and wherever Christ is named,
be the honor attributed to him ever so
periunctory. on the 25ih OF December
there people pause in their occupations
and think a little more in terms OF
peace on earth. good will TO men,
Il should like to make one or two
points this morning continued the
Judge. regarding the significance OF
Christmas which are not altogether
clear in all minds. The first point
concerns the translation OF the phrase
peace on earth. good will toward
men. as the King James version has
IT, The better translation is on earth
peace among men in whom he is well
pleased. Moffati's translation makes
it. peace on earth for men whom he
favors." The Douay Bible (Roman
Catholic standard version) reads. on
earth peace to men OF good will
These four translations of a much
quoted text, all authoritative. suggest
the difficulties translators have met in
trying to put into accurate English
the original Now it is true that
God wills universal peace toward men.
and Christmas is a wonderful time in
the year for mankind to concentrate
their thought on this ideal-(for as yet
it is only an ideal. the substance
OF things hoped for. the evidence OF
things not seen1. But is il not very
clear that man will have to do some
thing far more serious in the interest
OF peace on earth than merely to cele
brate annually holiday called Christ
mas9 The Christ message means
nothing to the vast majority OF hui
mainly today Millions have never
heard OF him, or OF Christmas. Peace
on earth. good will toward men does
not obtain in the world OF 1923.
But for this state OF affairs we cannot
blame the Heavenly Father He has
done his part. and is willing to do
much more when man is willing to |
cooperate OF course the number
the disciples OF our Master ever striv-
ing to live his gospel message is
larger now than ever before. and these
are those to whom the text particu
-arly refers, among men in whom he
is well pleased, or. to those whom
he favors: those who are bound to-
gether in a universal brotherhood OF
goodwill So. first OF all. the mes
sage OF the Chris; child comes to
hose devout hearts who are praying
or the blessing OF peace on earth.
rood will toward men. Those who
10 not want this message will never
eceive it. For them Christmas will
'nly be day OF merry making. a day
II feasting. 4 time for ephemcral
pleasure and OF worldly dissipation.
The Christ child means nothing TO
hem. Santa Claus is the sain, OF
heir holiday. not Christ the Lord
'ut to those OF us who believe in the I
,hrist child. we can sing with Zach ,
rias in the beautiful words OF the
3enedictus':
Yea. and thou. child. shalt be called a
the prophet OF the Most High {
or thou shalt go before the face OF c
the Lord to make ready his ways; 4
the dayspring from on high {
shall visit us. y
o shine on them that sit in darkness Z
and the shadow of death;
o guide our feet into the way OF {
peace"
THE second point | would make"
lid the Judge. concerns the origin
Christmas 1t ought to be general
understood that Jesus was not born
/ the 18th day OF December Futher- Ia
ore, the birth day OF our Lord had v,
tie or no significance with the apos- Il
IS and earlier disciples. judging from al
c silence OF the apostolic writings. D
Inside OF Matthew and Luke. who NJ
cord the virgin birth. it is not men
med as fact OF importance by any /
the other disciples. Our Lord him
II never refers TO his birth in any 7
the teachings that have come down
us as his own. Obviously. the dis Il
les Of our Lord. and the early fol-
Ters Of the apostles. knew nothing Il
Christmas. And / am going 10
te here. not for argument. but as I