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Show PEACE ON EARTH "No one can have any doubts as to tlie present state of the world's moral and spiritual health. It is almost a year and a half since the war with Japan ended, even longer since Germany surrendered. "Yet no peace treaties have been signed, no definite course laid for war-wrecked nations to travel on their return to normalcy. "The meetings of the delegates to the United Nations have been one long series of dissensions, with the bitter bickering bick-ering seldom diluted by the understanding and consideration consider-ation that were supposed to be the cornerstone of this structure struc-ture to mark man's elevation above the law of the jungle. "Throughout the world there is suffering, hunger, un-happiness. un-happiness. Millions of people have lost their homes, millions mil-lions of others are stranded in foreign countries, unable or in many cases unwilling to return to their native lands. "Even in our own country, many of the wounds caused by war's dislocations remain unhealed, with many families forced to live under distressing conditions brought about by the housing shortage, and many others fearful of losing their homes in the constant reshuffling caused by the same lack of houses." The above paragraphs could well have been written this week for they reflect the conditions as they exist today, yet they appeared in an editorial just a year ago. Their repetition now forcefully emphasizes the lack of progress made in the past year in the world's struggle to get back on its feet following the havoc wrought by the most disastrous war of all times. Yet there is no reason for complete discouragement; bad as things are, they could be worse. That is the magic quality of the Christmas season that it gives new spirit to the spiritless, renewed faith to the hopeless; that it mutes the discordant strains of strife in men's hearts, revives the inspiration that comes with the realization of the selfless sacrifice of Him whose birthday it marks. It is a never-ending source of inspiration to notice the transformation wrought in people by the spirit of the Christmas Christ-mas season. There is greater understanding, tolerance, sympathy, sincerity, in man's relationship with his fellow men during the holiday season; and if this be possible at Christmas time, why shouldn't it be possible to attain and maintain that spiritual level throughout the year? If we were somehow able to hold the "Christmas Spirit for even as short a period as six months, much of the contention con-tention and dissension now evident in the world would dissipate. dissi-pate. It shouldn't be difficult. Basically, people are friendly, willing and even eager to live happily with their neighbors. Why, then, shouldn't we continue to enjoy throughout the 12 months of the year the "peace on earthgood will to men" that make the Christmas season so gloriously beautiful beauti-ful and inspiring? We can, if we choose to. Simply by accepting and practicing the principles of the Golden Rule. Merely by treating our fellow men as we ourselves would like to be treated. Too often in the hustle and bustle of the workaday world, we are apt to forget the little courtesies, the little acts of kindness, the thoughtful things that mean so much in human conduct. It s largely a matter of habit. It is possible and relatively rela-tively easy to cultivate the habit of a cheery "good morning," a friendly smile for those we meet in our daily travels, an understanding of and sympathy for our neighbors' problems. prob-lems. And the rewards are gratifying, indeed. Isn't it worth trying? A "Merry Christmas" to you all all through the coming com-ing yearl |