White River Valley Historical Quarterly

Volume 1, Number 5
Fall 1962

Christmas Message
Dr. R. M. Good

The United States Christmas stamp with a wreath and candle often is o u r presentation of Christmas rather than a manger and a cross. Then too, the mad scramble to buy Christmas pre sents and the fear we may forget someone often leaves little time for the true spirit of Christmas.

A little Jewish girl was run over by a car in one of our large cities during the rush of Christmas shopping. She was nursed to health by a Christian nurse whom she came to love. The nurse said she was a Christian. The little Jewish girl seemed surprised. "Christian!" she said, "Why, the only Christians I know are Christmas - shopping Christians."

As the Christmas season approaches, may we get the real joy of Christmas carols, giving where we do not expect to receive in return, and putting aside selfishness for service above self.

We wish for all of you a most happy Christmas filled with peace, contentment, happiness, health, and a wonderful year ahead.

In the words of Grace Noll Cowell:

I shall attend to my little errands of love
Early, this year,
So that the brief days before Christmas may be
Unhampered and clear
Of the fever of hurry. The breathless rushing that I have known in the past
Shall not possess me. I shall be calm in my soul
And ready at last
For Christmas: "The Mass of the Christ." I shall kneel and call out His name;
I shall take time to watch the beautiful light
Of a candle's flame;
I shall have leisure-I sha11 go out alone
From my roof and my door;
I shall not miss the silver silence of stars
As I have before;
And, oh, perhaps-If I stand there very still,
And very long- I shall hear what the clamor of living has kept from me:
The Angel's song!
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