Article December 19, 1964 Issue

Spiritual Gifts

BARBARA BLECH DUNBAR

The Christmas season is a precious one. It turns Christendom's heart once more toward the contemplation of the Christ and the wondrous story of the birth of its human herald, Jesus. This story brings ever-fresh inspiration to mankind; and, when viewed in its true spiritual significance, holds the key to all happiness, health, and world salvation.

In our modern world, however, the true spiritual meaning of Christmas seems ofttimes lost in a frenzied routine of material gift-giving and sensual merrymaking. A burdened sense of obligation, together with financial involvements, seems to replace the holy uplifted thought with which Christmas should be commemorated.

It is well to ask ourselves, as this season approaches and our thoughts turn toward gift-giving, "What gift can I give my brother that will bring him the most happiness, the most peace, the most hope?" Perhaps our answer will lie in the Scriptural record of two of the Master's disciples, Peter and John, who, when they went into the temple to pray, saw by the door a crippled beggar. Their hearts went out to him in Christly compassion, and Peter said (Acts 3:6), "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

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