THE REV. LIONEL B. FLETCHER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 545, 24 December 1928, Page 11

THE REV. LIONEL B. FLETCHER

(CHAIRMAN OF THE CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF N.Z.) r £<HE first Christmas carol was sung by an angelic choir to a band of poor, simple, believing shepherds, and the music of the message still haunts the hearts of men and women throughout the world. It represents the quest of mankind. To know God, to glorify Him* to enjoy peace on earth, to bring in goodwill among men, are the aims of all in whom the spiritual is dominant. This is why Christ was born; this is why man was created; the accomplishment of this will bring in the Kingdom of Heaven. God put His Son into the arms of a working man’s wife; He told His wonderful secret to a band of shepherds; He hung His star in the sky for a group of wise men; He unfolded the inner secrets of the Kingdom to a group consisting mostly of fishermen and the like. And the reason of the choice in each instance was that those to whom the message of Heaven came were devout and child-like in their faith. There is no key of learning so cunningly contrived that it can open the door of the spiritual realm. There is no class so powerful that it can successfully demand of God His revelation. Only the few hear the heavenly music or see the heavenly vision, because only the few cultivate the child-like heart and the devout faith. And yet the Angels’ Song is for ail of us if we will hut listen and believe; The rejoicing and gladness are for all of us if we will but accept God’s revelation and abandon our sin and self-seeking. If at this Christmas time we) pray for and seek this humble frame of mind, the peace of God which passeth knowledge will take possession of us, and it shall be a Christmas of gladness for the children of men, who will thus'become the children of God.