Christmas Message From Leader Of The Presbyterian Church

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 December 1950, Page 4

Christmas Message From Leader Of The Presbyterian Church

“With the nations of the world divided as they are today, the threat of another war overshadowing us, and serious discussion in high internation-al-circles about the wisdom of using atomic weapons in the struggle in East Asia, it may seem that to engage in traditional Christmas festivities would oe very much like whistling to keep one’s courage up, or refusing to acknowledge the realities of the world situation. There is no doubt that, under these circumstances, many people are finding it hard to be cheerful as the Christmas season approaches,” said the Rt. Rev. J. A. Thomson, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, In his Christmas message. “Of course, we shall engage in the usual festivities. To refuse to do so would be madness. It would lower the morale of the community. But, worse than that, it would be a denial of our Christian faith. It would reveal, too, a complete misunderstanding of the facts. After all, Jesus came into a world dark with tragedy, and He came to redeem it from the evils that destroy human happiness. It Is true that after nineteen hundred years those evils have not been cast out. But it is also true that wherever the spirit of Jesus has been received i*o the lives of men and women, individually or in communities, the I power of those evils to destroy happiness has been broken.

“The story of the Babe of Bethlehem reminds us that the greatest power in the universe works, not through the spectacular forces of human might, but through the gentleness of Divine love. Wherever that truth is accepted and allowed to govern the lives of men and women there is experience of peace and gladness.

“The Christmas of 1950 can be for us a time of rejoicing, not because we are able to forget the reality of the world's tragedy, but because we know that the love of God for us all is a greater and more triumphant reality. My prayer, therefore, for the people of’New Zealand is that, with this assurance in their hearts, they may enjoy a happy Christmas and a bright New Year. ’