The Wilmington morning star., 1944-12-25
The Nativity
1t is Christmas morning I!


as if Lord of all.
But it is Christmas morning and we know
Death is not the Lord of all, but Life
So turn away the eyes little from the fields
OF carnage and toward the star-roofed field
where the shepherds tended their flocks Turn
away the eyes little from skies filled with
destruction and horror and turn them toward
the skies where the angels sang of peace Turn
them away from the oceans where roaring
gum and bursting bombs redden their waters
with human blood and toward the blue Cali
lean Sea by whose edge walked the Man who
brings life and brings it more abundantly. Turn
TIE eyes away from the great cities of Berlin,
and, Rome and Tokyo and toward the little viii
lage of Bethlehem
And turn the heart away today from bitter
thoughts of a would-be conquerer of the earth.
!ambition-ridden and hate-inspired and toward
tender thoughts of the love-inspired and love-
inspiring carpenter who conquered earth and
heaven.
Turn again today to that story which has
come down through two thousand years to
comfort souls and soften sorrow and ease
pain and inspire hope, and which will live
after all the fierce pagan sagas have died
not only in mans memories but in mems
hearts.
Though it has been printed in many lam
guages and has been told to countless millions
since the coming of the Prince of Peace it is
1 story all of us love and none of us grow
tired OF hearing So long as men find solace
ard comfort in the teachings of the lowly Naza-
rene they will never grow tired of hearing the
story of His coming.
The Story of the Nativity is an inspirational
message which is particularly fitting at this
period when the world is wraeked by war and
strife. We commend it to all whose eyes fall
upon this page today. Turn again to the story
that runs:
l. And it came to pass in those days, that
there went out decree from Caesar Augustus,
that all the world would be taxed
2. And this taxing was first made when
Cyrenius was Governor of Syria)
3. And all went to be taxed, every one into
his own city.
4. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out
of the city of Nazareth into Judea, unto the
city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (be-
cause he was of the house and lineage of Da-
vid)
S. To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife,
being great with child.
+l,,+
the days were accomplished that she should
be delivered.
T. And she brought forth her first born son,
and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and
laid him in a manager; because there no
room for them in the inn.
8. And there were in the same country shep
herds abiding in the field. Keeping watch over
their flocks by night.
9. 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.
TO- And the angel said unto them, Fear not:
for behold I bring you good tidings Of great
joy, which shall be to all people.
H. For unto you is born this day in the city
OF David Saviour which is Christ the Lord
IL. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger
49, And suddenly there was with the angel
multitude of the heavenly host praising God,
and saying.
IA. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth
peace, good will toward men,
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were
gone away from them into heaven, the shep-
herds said one to another, Let us 60 even unto
Bethlehem. and see this thing which is come
to mass which the Lord hath mare known unto
US.
l6. And they came with haste and found
Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in
manger.
II. And when they had seen it, they made
known abroad the saying which was told them
concerning this child.
IS. And all they that heard it wondered at
those things which were told them by the
shepherds.
49, But Mary kept all these things, and pom
dered them in her heart.
TO- And the shepherds returned, clarifying
and praising God for all the things that they
had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
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