Evening star., 1941-12-25
Christmas, 1941

Christmas, 1941
A shadow lies across this Christmas,
and it would be idle to attempt to
deny the saddening influence which
1t exerts upon the whole civilized
community OF men, women and little
children the world around. Not for
generations has it happened that the
Feast Of the Nativity has been OBJ
served under conditions so tragic.
The Sacrifice which began in the
stable at Bethlehem is fouted and
Knocked by the crimes of the leaders
of a revolution against the essential
teaching Of the Martyred Apostle Of
peace and good will. His conception
OF the elemental integrity of the
human soul is denied by the tyrants
to whom the present distress Of mil
lions traces back.
ParadoXically, however, it also Is
true that never before within the
experience of living persons has there
been such a rebirth of faith and con-
fidence in righteousness, in freedom
and in fellowship. The aggressors
have created solidarity of mutual
interest and a zeal for common
liberty never before achieved under
any circumstance. In reaction to
their mischief there is growing to
seasoned maturity a new spirit which
represents triumphant defiance Of
the evil doctrine that might alone,
constituencies and cruel, shall pre-
vail. A stronger strength than that
of greed and hate is being developed
for the salvation of the race.
Multitudes feel the attraction Of
the crusade to which President
Roosevelt referred when he spoke of
"the preparation of our hearts
for the labor and the suffering and
the ultimate victory which lie ahead"
They know that there have been
other Christmases of sorrow. Not
forgotten by the generality Of their
descendants are the sufferings of the
Pilgrims of Massachusetts, in the
Yuletide Of 1920, Of which Governor
William Bradford wrote: "For the
season 1t was winter, and they that
know the winters of (this) country
know them to be sharp and violent.
Besides, what could they see
but a hideous and desolate wilder
ness? = All things stand upon
them with weather-beaten face,
- a wild and savage hue" The
dreadful Christmas of 1777 which
George Washington and his ragged
and half-starved soldiers spent at
Valley Forge is likewise remembered.
Historians call 1t "the darkest hour"
in the struggle for independence.
Lafayette, the gallant young French
man who had crossed the Atlantic
to serve the patriot cause, was
shocked at the condition of the
troops. '"They had neither coats,
hats, shirts, nor shoes; their feet and
legs froze until they became black"
he said. "The army frequently re-
manned whole days without provi-
sions, and the patient endurance of
both officers and men was miracle"
Less we'll known, perhaps, yet not
less deservedly memorable were the
Christmases of the conflict between
the North and the South, the solemn
Christmases between 1861 and 1865.
The character of those occasions is
reflected in the letters of John Hay,
one of Abraham Lincoln's secretaries,
who reported: December 25, 1853
A lonesome sort of Christmas.
The President today got up a plan
for extending to the people of the
rebellious districts the practical
benefits Of his proclamation (of
amnesty and reconstruction)." Re-
union was not assured, and there
were fears that even after the war
had been ended many troubles would
appear. 1t was at such moments
that the Emancipator was tempted
to despair of the future. That he
did not surrender to his doubts was
a matter of providential intervention.
So must it be today. The Amer
lean people recognize in Christmas
the symbol of the purpose for which
they toll and fight With firm re-
lance upon Merciful God, they an
ticipate the happier Christmases yet
to dawn.