Signs of the Times

with contributions from Binney Simpson Black

Reprinted from the London Times in the Vindicator Youngstown, Ohio

This annual expectation of Christmas is only a bringing into sharp focus of what the Christian church should always be experiencing. The church should always be an expectant church. It is an interesting fact that the Greek word used in the New Testament for "earnest expectation" is not found in pagan literature, and may well have been a Christian formation. Christians should always feel that great reserves of divine power are waiting to be released. Such watchful expectancy heightens sensitivity, vitalizes prayer, revolutionizes values, and guards against temptation. That is why Jesus told his disciples to watch as well as to pray.

Colorado School Journal Denver, Colorado

The Christmas message is especially significant to teachers, for the role of all who are entrusted with this sacred privilege is to interpret a way of life to those whom they teach, just as it was for the man who also called himself Teacher.

From every segment of society leaders are pointing out that the schools of America are the greatest vehicle, for the building of a peaceful world, for it is recognized that the only ultimate way of building peace is to build it in the hearts of men.

Every great teacher who is singled out for special honor and distinction is one who is daily living the kind of life taught by this Great Teacher whose birth we celebrate this Christmas time. They are teaching by word and example a gospel of the worth of every individual, "Do unto others as you would that they do unto you," and "Love thy neighbour as thyself."

When this teaching becomes a reality in the lives of people of all nations, it will indeed be good news.

From an editorial in The Greenfield Daily Reporter Greenfield, Indiana

In this materialistic world do we look to economics, science, mechanical technology, physical comforts, for something to take the place of spiritual inspiration and guidance? ... Creature comforts, deceptive as they are, are never enough, because these, too, will pass. Only those things of the spirit can be eternal.

Christians should emphasize in their own thinking of Christmas and in their attitudes toward it, that this is a hallowed and dramatic sequence in the events which carry the key to the salvation of mankind.

If ye believe on the Son of God and his precepts, and that his coming was prophesied of old as a leader, a Messiah, who would "save his people from their sins," then there should be no real danger that the true significance of Christmas should be lost. ... The greatest lesson of Christmas, of course, is love.

Binney Simpson Black in the Presbyterian Record Toronto, Ontario, Canada

We who claim to be the followers of Christ, unless we are careful, may lose our Christ and wander far away from the heart of Christmas. That were a tragedy indeed, and it is, alas, too frequently enacted. For unless Jesus Christ is the supreme reality in your life today, you have missed the great meaning of his birth and the transcendent significance of his life and death and resurrection. ... When men become his disciples, ... there is an exchange of masters, and he becomes the ruling passion that lifts us out of self.

What is the heart of Christmas, the true spirit of it? It is the spirit of Love. Not love in a general way, not love in the abstract, love as a finespun theory. It is love ... expressing itself in a practical way for [Jesus'] sake. Loving ... is the heart of Christmas.

But even this statement may be a stumbling block to many. They think it is just a sentimental emotion that shows itself in certain acts of worship, like singing hymns and saying prayers and going to church. But one may do all this and not be a real lover of Christ. He may be a formalist only, with the mere husk of religion instead of the kernel. No, the test of love for Christ is very practical: "If ye love me, keep my commandments." "Faith ... worketh by love." Genuine Christianity is practical. Practical Christianity is love in action.

An editorial in the Free Press, Burlington, Vermont

If we believe that the destiny of man is to carry out the plan of God, then our hope is in the Christmas message. In fact, there can be no other hope for a world.

As we come again to the observance of the birth of the Christ child, we need to remember that the hope he holds out to us for peace and joy is dependent upon our realization of our destiny as children of God which Christ [Jesus] taught.

How can we come into a realization of our destiny, and so secure this peace and joy, regardless of what happens to us?

The most common ways are through reading of the Bible, attendance at religious services, meditation, and prayer. Thus we develop our spiritual natures.

If we really want the peace and joy of the Christmas message, we. must open our hearts to the guidance which comes through faith in and communion with the creator of the universe.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit