Everywhere, everywhere Christmas tonight!
Christinas in lands of the fir tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of the palm tree and vine',
Christmas where snow peaks stand solemn and white,
Christmas where corn fields lie sunny and bright.
From a Christmas carol by Phillips Brooks
★
The poet who wrote these lines nearly one hundred years ago said some-
thing, I think, which is in the mind and heart of all of us in this atomic
age. Christmas has become the symbol of a spirit that is accepted by all
religions, by all races and all creeds, the world over. Christmas is something
more than greetings and gifts.
Let us meditate this Christmas and resolve to respect and love all peoples.
Let us look to our humility and faith to overcome the fears that hang over
us. Let us remember that the struggle for right is long, but the human race
has proved it has the courage to strive for justice and peace.
Amid the blessings which surround us this Christmas, let us ponder and
agree that you and I will do all we can to make the dignity of the human being
a real, a living thing. We are neither better nor wiser than anybody else—no
matter where he may live, no matter what his politics or his creed.
I believe that is the way all of us can achieve not only peace on earth but
also peace in heaven. That is the way we can share good will with our fellow
men.
In this spirit, it gives me profound pleasure to send all of you my very
best wishes for a very happy Holiday Season, to be enjoyed by you in the
midst of your families, and I hope that all of us will celebrate many more
together in perfect understanding and with good will towards each other.