Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-22
Where's the Good viii?

Peace on earth, good win
toward men," These angelic
words, chanted 30 inspiringly
20 centuries ago, have been
perpetuated and become our
annual motto in exchanging
greetings during this holiday
season. Yet. they have been
through the ages and still
remain mere words, the spir-
itual naturalization thereof
facing a long and relentless
struggle.
The time-conqueror has
magnificently led mankind
toward astounding achieve
ments in every sphere Of
human endeavor, but 1t has
established neither eternal
peace nor good win among
men. On the contrary. the
greed for material benefits has
enhanced, and suspicion. fear.
agony and hatred are ruling
our world. The motives Of the
present situation can be traced
to no other source than the
egotism Of the human nature
which persistently refuses to
accept humility as q perma-
nent axiom Of life.
Being ready to celebrate
majestically another Christ
mas, 1t would be appropriate
. to throw I brief glance at our
planet. which. though seem
ingly small In size. embodies
stupendous dangers and prob
lens.
Looking eastward and try
ing to locate the bright star
that guided the magi toward
the birthplace Of the Prince
Of Peace, we observe that dark
clouds are now covering the
skies Of East Asia. readyas
in the past--to burst and
plunge the old continent into
ruins. Following the route
that brought the wise men"
to the goal Of their goodwill
tour. we are disturbed by the
turmoil Of the area IS well as
grieved by the fact that on
the very same land where the
infant Saviour was born.
preached and practiced love
and peace, blood and tears are
being shed since many years.
The silent night. ablaze with
the presence Of angels, greet
ing Christ's arrival on earth,
has been substituted by nights
Of dread and terror, bringing
sorrow and misery instead Of
gladness and Joy. The shep-
herds are no longer leading an
innocent and care-free life.
blessed from heaven. as then.
but are actively participating
in the humiliation Of their
fellow men.
A hundred and nifty miles
northwest Of the Holy Land,
on another historic place, the
ancient island Of Cyprus.
where the Apostles Paul and
Barnabas brought messages OF
love and brotherhood and
founded q church, machine
guns and bombs spread death
and hatred.
Turning westward, we see
the sandy soil Of North Africa
absorbing an unreasonable
amount Of blood Of the same
Gods children.
And farther north, In CEN
trail Europe-especially Ger
many ~ the situation IL far
from peaceful.
Even the Western Hemi-
sphere - South America - Is
not lacking in disturbances and
civil conflicts.
All these events are taking
place after 1855 years Of re-
peated endeavors for the es-
tablishment of lasting peace.
1t was only 10 years ago that.
on the heaps Of ruins accumu-
lated by the most catastrophe
war in modern history, q world
organization was founded with
the expectation that 1t would
become the citadel Of peace,
1t has been named United
Nations. but unfortunately 1t
has failed to unite nations
and stop international man
slaughter.
While the ceremonial at
mosphere Of the season gives
us the illusion Of o happy
world. all the evidence sur
rounding us proves that peace
on earth and good viii toward
men is only wishful thinking,
devoid Of drastic actions for
their prevalence.
Nick c. Louis.
4 4 ~
Our thoughts and our ac-
tons again turn TO the spirit
Of Christmas,
This Is the time Of the year
when we think Of others with
gifts Of love and expression
from the fruits Of our work
during the past year. II 10 .