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A Christmas Message |
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Every
time the festival of Our Lord's Birth returns to gladden our hearts, we
become aware of a different feeling in the air, an alteration for the better
in our attitude toward other persons and things. We often call this special
feeling "Christmas Spirit." and we see it gain in intensity as
the sacred feast draws near. Many times, this spirit grows upon us whether
we will or no: even though we do not consciously dwell upon it, it permeates
our being, and alters our ways of thinking and acting, until we are forced
to recognize it by the very strength of its presence.
This is for the best, for the spirit of Christmas is really none other than the immortal spirit of Christianity, which makes itself felt as it should whenever we pause long enough in the noisy round of our ordinary activities to listen a bit to the voice of eternity. The spirit of Christianity is that of brotherhood, of fellowship, and benevolence towards all men. We are reminded of this central teaching of our faith many times in the course of our Church Services, for God is constantly referred to as the "One Who loves mankind," and this divine attribute is usually united with others to set forth the highest ideas of God which we can command. Our English word "philantrophy" is one which we commonly use; we think of a philanthropist as one who is charitable or generous with gifts for the benefit of others; but philanthropy is really the quality of loving mankind, and God is the great philanthropist. We are not only encouraged but commanded to follow the divine example set for us by Our Lord, the Lover of Mankind, whose teaching of love is at once the central message of Christianity as well as the great spiritual message of all time. In ancient days the pagans were amazed at the way in which the early Christians helped one another and behaved with love and affection towards each other: many a convert was made by the good example the Christians set for all who cared to see. The feeling of mutual love which Christians had for each other was really that of members of a closely-knit family, for Our Lord taught His followers that God was their Father and His, and that all men were brothers, members of one family. The spirit of Christmas is a family spirit, which we recognize when we sense the power of the bonds of love which really unite us. We are aware that oftentimes in the rushing course of the year we forget temporarily the spirit which should motivate us not only at Christmas time but always, and we find ourselves at odds with the world and our brethren; like the great Apostle of old, we find contentions among us, and we discover that our great affection for one or another has overwhelmed that special regard in which we should hold all who are called into the fellowship of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But at Christmas, when we bow in reverence before the great mystery of the Son of God made man, we are recalled to the spirit of brotherhood which is the essence of our Faith, and we are reminded of the bond of unity which should encircle and strengthen our Christian family. Let us at this holy season be glad with the yearly remembrance of the Birth of Our Lord; let us be renewed by the Holy Spirit of love, affection, and understanding; let us strive to be worthy of the blessing of Him who was born in a cavern, and lay in a manger, for the sake of our salvation: Christ our true God, Who is alone Good, and loveth mankind.
From Word
Magazine |
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