"And Joseph also went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the town of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he
was of the house and family of David. To be enrolled with Mary,
his wife, who was great with child."
(Luke 2:4-5)
In a world that seems not only to be changing, but even to
be dissolving, there are some tens of millions of us who want
Christmas to be the same...
with the same old greeting "Merry Christmas" and no other.
We long for the abiding love among men of good will
which the season brings...
believing in the ancient miracle of Christmas with its softening,
sweetening influence to tug at our heart strings once again.
We want to hold on to the old customs and traditions
because they strengthen our family ties,
bind us to our friends,
make us one with all mankind
for whom the Child was born,
and bring us back again to God Who gave
His only begotten Son, that "whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life."
So we will not "spend" Christmas
nor "observe" Christmas.
We will "keep" Christmas-keep it as it is...
in all the loveliness of its ancient traditions.
May we keep it in our hearts,
that we may be kept in its hope.
Reverend Peter Marshall Sr.
(1902-1949)
Scottish American pastor
Twice-appointed Chaplain of the United States Senate
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