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Show Merry Christmas We rejoice in the sound of the words and the glory of the message: "on earth peace, goodwill to men." But we do not always feel the meaning in our hearts and put it to work in our lives. One who did was Henry Van Dyke, the late American Ameri-can clergyman, writer, and poet whose famous "Story of the Other Wise Man" has brought joy and inspiration inspira-tion to thousands of people over the years. Among his writings is a piece called "The Spirit of Christmas," and we think you'll like it as much as we did. We are happy to priiii, it, from us to you: "We are thinking of you today because it is Christmas . . , and tomorrow because it will be the day after, and so on through the year. We may not be able to tell you about it every day, but that makes no difference, the thought and the wish will be here just the same . . ." "Because it is Christmas" so many things follow. "Because it is Christmas" the world stands still for a while, in reverent memory of the Christ child's birth. "Because it is Christmas" we hope anew for peace on earth, goodwill to men. "Because it is Christmas" we resolve that the Spirit of Christmas will stay with us throughout the year. Of course, the Spirit of Christmas should not be confined to a single day nor is it. For all those who truly believe in "good will to men" honor it in their hearts and live it in their lives, every day of the year. They cherish the continuing warmth of friendship, the ever-new rebirth of the Babe who lived to teach us peace and love. And though friends may be far away or seldom met, that too "makes no difference" the steady flow of hope and good will continues to bind together those who put their trust in the power of loving kindness, and in all that we mean by humanity. |