Introduction

Not long ago, a professor of psychology in one of our great universities gave a word suggestion test to his class of 40 students. He instructed them to write the word “Christmas,” and all the class did so. “Now,” said the professor, “right after the word ‘Christmas’ write the first thought that flashes through your mind regarding that day.” When the papers were turned in, such answers were given as “tree,” “holly,” “mistletoe,” “presents,” “turkey,” “holiday,” “carols,” and “Santa Claus,” but not one had written, “the birthday of Jesus.” As there was no room for the baby Jesus in the inn, there is no room for Him today in the celebration of Christmas.

Christmas Is Costly

It cost Mary and Joseph the comforts of home during a long period of exile in Egypt to protect the little Babe. It cost mothers in and around Bethlehem the massacre of their babies by the cruel order of Herod. It cost the shepherds the complacency of their shepherds’ life, with the call to the manger and to tell the good news. It cost the wise men a long journey and expensive gifts and changed lives. It cost the early apostles and the early church persecution and sometimes death. It cost missionaries of Christ untold suffering and privation to spread the good news. It cost Christian martyrs in all ages their lives for Christ’s sake. More than all this, it cost God the Father His own Son—He sent Him to the earth to save men. It cost Jesus a life of sacrifice and service, a death cruel and unmatched in history.

A Christmas Prayer

Then let every heart keep Christmas within—Christ’s pity for sorrow, Christ’s hatred for sin, Christ’s care for the weakest, Christ’s courage for right. Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight!

There’s a gift not wrapped beautifully And placed beneath a tree, Nor is this gift expensive; It is priceless, yet it’s free. It’s a gift that’s far more precious Than the purest chain of gold; It’s reserved not just for Christmas And received by young and old. It’s a gift that never gets too old; It’s discovered fresh and new, A gift that’s not forgotten After use a year or two. A gift that never can be bought By riches or great price, A gift that’s only paid for By the precious blood of Christ. And this gift that God has given Is salvation full and free, And when you have accepted it, You’ll be thankful when you see That at this Christmas season, With this thought your heart will lift, For you’ll know that you’ve been given By far the Greatest Gift. “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” (2 Cor. 9:15).—Cherilyn Costella Onward

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Charles Wesley of England was without doubt one of the most productive hymn writers and preachers of all time. Yet, strangely enough, Wesley was able to get only one hymn poem into the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer, and that one by error! An eighteenth century printer didn’t know that the “established Church” of England frowned with disapproval upon Wesley’s hymns. Since he needed material to fill an empty space in the new hymnal, he took it upon himself to insert a Christmas poem called, “Hark, How All the Welkins Rings!” by an Anglican clergyman named Charles Wesley. When the error was discovered attempts were made to have it removed, but it proved so popular that it was allowed to remain. It was written in 1738, but is still very moving today. “Hark the herald angels sing. Glory to the new born King. Peace on earth, and mercy mild: God and sinners reconciled.”

A Strange Birthday Celebration

If the following story were not true, it would surely be unbelievable. It is true, however, as you yourself will agree when you have read it. There was once a great king. His love for his people knew no limits. Although the kingdom was very large, the king knew every person by name. Everything the people of the kingdom had was a gift freely given by the loving king. So, to show their love and appreciation to the king for all he had done for them, the people decided to have a great celebration to honor his birthday. Everyone agreed it was a marvelous idea. Preparations for the celebration were very elaborate. No expense was spared by the people. They adorned their homes with lights, decorations, and expensive ornaments. There were parties, dinners, and celebrations throughout the kingdom. All the people brought gifts for their friends and family. Many of the gifts which the people gave each other were quite expensive, involving considerable indebtedness. In fact, the people spent more on the birthday celebration than they spent at any other time of the year. Many who were not citizens of the kingdom, and who did not even know the king, joined in the celebration. Their celebration of the king’s birth was marked by excessive drinking. Since they did not know the king, they invented a good-natured, fat fellow in a red suit. He laughed a lot, but never said anything. But that didn’t matter because they were too busy celebrating to listen anyhow. The great day of celebrating his birth finally arrived, and some of his people did come bringing gifts and thanking him for his goodness to them. But to his dismay, most of the citizens never came to his house at all on the day of celebration. And the gifts brought to the king by those few who came were very meager when compared with the gifts they had given themselves. For the most part the people said they had been so busy with all the celebrations and personal plans that they had forgotten about the king. Several said they had thought of him, but really could not work it into their schedules or budgets to come see him or bring a gift. A few were known to be quite put out when it was suggested that going to the king’s house or remembering him with a gift was important. Those people who did come to his house and who brought their loving gifts were welcomed and blessed by the king. But when they had gone and he was alone again, the king fell to thinking of the vast numbers of his people who had forgotten and forsaken him. How could they have forgotten? Had he not loved them all? How could so many of his beloved people who had found the time and money for shopping and feasting and partying and decorating and all sorts of celebrations—how could they possibly be so thoughtless, so ungrateful or selfish?  Did they not know that he, too, had feelings? Was not the purpose of the birthday celebration originally planned to honor him? When the king was alone, pondering these questions, he felt the tears well up in his eyes. And in his loneliness, he wept. One thought brought some hope and consolation. Even though they had forgotten him, he had not forgotten them.