MERRY CHRISTMAS: BATTERIES NOT REQUIRED

12/20/87
MERRY CHRISTMAS: BATTERIES NOT REQUIRED
LUKE 2: 1 - 20
(PAGE 1497 COME ALIVE BIBLE)
JESUS CHRIST caused a traffic jam this week -- in every major
city in America. His natal night was accompanied by celestial
celebration. As the day of commemoration of that birth draws
near, it is accompanied by earthly elation.
Crass commercialism and brass humanism combined have not been
able to completely rob the occasion of its spiritual meaning.
Yes, "Tis the season to be jolly." No period of the year has the
vocabulary of Christmas. Even the Scrooges of this century
change their year-round "Bah, humbug," to "Merry Christmas."
Merry Christmas? How can anyone have a merry Christmas with
things the way they are? By simply remembering what thing
really happened that first Christmas.
Our mood swings between two verses of a poem by Longfellow set
to music:
"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play
Of peace on earth, good will toward men.
And in despair I hung my head.
There is no peace on earth I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
If peace on earth good will toward men."

Then it is as though the mind of the poet is illumined by a
divine revelation and he continues in a different vein.

"Then peals the bells more wild and deep,
God is not dead nor does He sleep.
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth good will toward men."


Part of the stimulation of a modern Christmas is the giving of
gifts. Jesus is good for bus ...

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