Editorial December 23, 1922 Issue

The Star of Bethlehem

Ella W. Hoag

How familiar to the thought of the world has become the star of Bethlehem! What good it stands for; what blessings it promises! How mankind has come to love the account of the wise men on their journey! And then, there were the shepherds! In all the literature of the ages, nothing has stirred the heart of both youth and adult with holier feelings than has Luke's recounting of their vision. The story is told so simply, and yet from the beginning to the end it holds such wondrous beauty, such hope, such joy, that no one can read or hear it unmoved. First, there is the picture of the "shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." What an expression of faithfulness, of tender care! What could have been more divinely natural than that their humility and loving-kindness should have been rewarded with a glimpse of heaven's own light? "The angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them." Later, the angel telling them of the "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people,"—of the Savior who was to be born, and who was to open the way of deliverance for all men from all evil! Think of it! And finally, the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men"! What grander climax could there have been than the multitude of the heavenly host praising God? How meet that thanksgiving should instantly be given to God for this marvelous prophecy of good! All the Christian world has come to cherish the final words, "On earth peace, good will toward men." Strange it does not always remember to preface it with the holy chant of the angels, "Glory to God in the highest"!

Through all the centuries between then and now, this vision has been a guiding star to the peoples of the earth. Those who have eyes to see and ears to hear have been awakening more and more fully to the vast import of that angel prophecy. Like the wise men and shepherds of the long ago, they have been following the star to the birthplace of Jesus. There they have laid down their gifts, and later have sought to comprehend his life of loving sacrifice, learning through the years how to honor and love and adore,—yes, and, in some measure at least, to obey.

These lessons have been more or less slow in the learning; but as each Christmas has come and gone, a little clearer perception has been realized, a stronger desire to understand has been felt. However darkened the spiritual sense may have seemed to be, with the Christmases have finally come holier purposes, loftier ideals. Nation after nation has been Christianized, and to-day many are the peoples with whom Jesus' life and teaching are, in some degree and in some form, familiar words at every thoughtful fireside.

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