The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-12-25
The Manager a Throne

rrce again the world turns in reverence and oeVo-
ton to the manger once again human hearts soi'en
to the appeal of less fortunate brothers once again
little children mount the throne
The procession of centuries has Witnessed 'ne
Gradual mental adoption Of the messages brought 10
world that was in the very depths of material degra-
.oation at its low ebb of spiritual motivation
Conditions at this Christmas only serve to empha-
size the fact that civilization has been giving mucn
lin service to His teachings and little thought TO tne
real meaning
There is poverty in every country. There also Is
limitless wealth and luxury The poverty Is lor 700
many The luxury is for the all too few
such condition is inevitable when people worship
material things and forget their souls
Such condition always will prevail until there IS
4 real adoption of the Christian not the Christmas,
spirit.
To the devout. the day is one Of gladness, for it
renews faith in eternal happiness and in God To the
less deyout it is the occasion for expression OF good
will and human sympathy which is the natural her
taoe of man as instructive when unrepressed as the
act of breathing itself.
The eager participation in charities, the rush OF
Christmas baskets to homes where cupboards are
barren the distribution of toys to homes OF mis-
fortune the desire to give to less fortunate is nut an
expression of that real desire for human brotherhood
50 often suppressed and buried beneath the condl-
tons of complex society in new age OF material
development.
Rejoicing in the coming of Christ, though. well
might be turned to the mode of life, to the practices
and especially to the startling message which came
with Him.
The world had gone mad with materlaiism. IL
worshiped in forrnality and not in spirit 1t placed
emphasis upon the letter of the law and none upon
human values The great urge them as it Is too often
today was to possess things Of luxury or comfort 10
gain fame over weaker beings.
He came to the poor and lived among the POOR.
He did not seek out the powerful but consorted Win
the unknown and the unimportant. He cnose MS
followers from the lowly, but the names OF those VINO
listened are eternal in memory, Wnue tne gleaO "a
That day forgotten
Because he shocked the great and the powerful
and the rich with his indictment of that materialsm
and new strange doctrine Of love and kindness He
died upon the cross.
But before that happened, he wandered out on
a mountain and gave message that must and Will
serve as the guide for all the centuries If CIVILIZATION
does not destroy itself by refusing to follow Read
today not only the story of the BIRTH but the Beatudes
and let their spirit enter into your Christmas medita
lions as an added reason for thankfulness and glad
ness and JOY.
Blessed are the poor"-not the rich in material
things. Is your real quest the aHaSSllg Vi Bolu anu
Jewels and vast wealth?
Blessed are the peacemakers." Turn your eyes
to government which delay the bringing of peace
and devote themselves to the equipment OF vast
armies with which to kill human beings, to the crea
ton of vast forces of arpanes and battleshps whose
orly purpose is death and
Blessed the pure in heart" Can the heart
be pure which is filled with idolatry of passing fancies
of vain trappngs of wealth, of desire for power to
rule rather than the opportunity to serve?
Once again the world finds itself worshipping false
gods It's standards have been based too greatly on
material things rather than spiritual values The
letter of the law the rule of conduct not the spirit
Of the law
On this day the sham and the futility of all these
things is torn away by the light of the stars of Beth
lehem. Their bright rays pierce deeply into human
hearts For the hour peace and good will reign.
The passing centuries add to His glory. They also
force the truth of His messages. May this Christmas
bring not only happiness to the individual, but
greater acceptance of His truth which given to
world not greatly unlike the present