THE CHRISTMAS GIFT

Taranaki Daily News, 24 December 1915, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE CHRISTMAS GIFT

■'Thanks be unto God for His un-

speakable Gift."—ll. Cor. ix., 15. • The most striking feature of Christmas was in the giving of gifts. Few escape the contagion of benevolence. The stores are crowded with purchasers. The express companies are overwhelmed with packages,' the postmen groan beneath their extraordinary burden. This is as it should be. Christmas was begun with a gift which St. Paul declares to be unspeakable. Words cannot describe the greatness of what God has given to all His children. . The lesser things of life we work for. The greater things are given to us. Health and intelligence and human affection and undying hope are not bought and sold in the markets of the world. Our greatest blessings come to us as free gifts. Among these let us not forget our great men. They give us our ideals. They show us our possibilities. They enrich our life. Great men living and dead are the permanent inheritance and the priceless possession of the race.

Jesus Christ stands by common consent at the head of this noble company of benefactors. The appreciation of His character is not limited to any sect. The eloquent words of Renan find an echo in all hearts: "Whatever may lie the surprises of the future, Jesus will never be surpassed. His worship will grow young without ceasing; His legend will call forth tears without end; His sufferings will melt the noblest hearts; all ages will proclaim that among the sons of men.tiiere is none born greater than Jesus."

He who makes two blades of grass grow where but one grew before contributes something of value to the world. He who paints a great picture,or writes a great poem does a nobler and a better thing. Most of all are we indebted to him who enriches us with a moral ideal and enables us to see the beauty of humility and unselfishness anil sacrifice.

This is the time to think upon these things. As we send presents to our friends and receive their gifts in return our thoughts should go back to the first Christmas Day, and all that bus come from it to exalt and ennoble life.

"Freely ye have received, freely give." A gift creates an obligation, and the greater the gift the greater the obligation. Are we trying to pay our debt? Are wo giving the best we have —not the hand, but the heart—in loving service to our fellowmen? Someone lias said that we ought to do all the good we can to all the people we can whenever we can. And if we adopt that motto for our own we may be sure that we have caught the Christmas spirit, and that we will not fail to receive the Christmas blessing.—Rev. T. R. Bridges, D.D., New York.