Article December 22, 1928 Issue

The greatest event in human history is rightly conceded...

An article by Arthur E. Blainey, Committee on Publication for the Province of Ontario, Canada,—Chatham

Daily News

The greatest event in human history is rightly conceded by most people to be the birth of Christ Jesus. Certainly no other event has given rise to such beneficent results. No other single individual has done for the world what Jesus did, in that he presented by precept and example a new and clear understanding of the law of Love. By his supreme sacrifice, and by practical proofs of the healing efficacy of the truth, in support of his positive assertion, "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," he provided the way of salvation for the whole world, and made available to all mankind, for all time, hope and assurance of speedy release from discordant conditions of every name and nature, including sin, sickness, and death. The effect of Jesus' life-work, in so far as his consummate example and loving admonition to "preach the gospel" and "heal the sick" is accepted, understood, and, what is more important, consistently practiced, fully corroborates the divine message of peace and good will heard by the faithful shepherds on that first Christmas morn. At this season of the year, particularly, all who name the name of Christ, Christians of every denomination, again journeying in thought to the sacred precincts of the lowly manger, there to bow in humble reverence, are privileged to hear again the song of the herald angels, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Are we listening for the voice of Truth? Shall we hear the joyous song? Are we willing and ready to respond, that the same law of Love may become operative in our lives, chastening, purifying, and elevating character to a conscious realization of the realm of perfect peace and good will? A response to the heavenly message will make the pilgrimage worth while.

"Good will toward men," exemplifying a fulfillment of the divine command, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," acts instantaneously in human affairs, producing happiness and progress, and ushering in a clearer realization of the universal brotherhood of man. This relationship is definitely established, but perhaps not fully appreciated, when we pray, "Our Father which art in heaven." Our Father, your Father, my Father, everyone's Father, and the sons and daughters of God—one universal, harmonious family! No place in the mentality of a son or daughter of God for thoughts of bitterness, strife, envy, malice, jealousy, or hatred, but only of peace and good will! The Christian's only incentive is love; love for God; love for good; love for his fellow-man, evidenced, perhaps, in tender solicitation and kindly consideration; but never vindictive or revengeful, never attempting to injure or destroy, always helpful as was Jesus. Only thus can we measure up to the standard required of sons and daughters of God. Only thus can we reasonably expect to be considered worthy followers in the footsteps of the Master. Only thus can we submit to a sick and sinburdened humanity positive proof of the healing and redemptive Christ, Truth. Only thus will our present pilgrimage be productive of practical results. The mere exchange of material gifts can never adequately commemorate the love of God, or pay homage to the Saviour. Many to-day experience difficulty in retaining the true concept of Christmas, owing to the overshadowing influence of the associated thought of gifts, influenced, perhaps, by a false sense of giving.

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