This Christmas comes to a troubled world
which we must all face with courage, faith, and
understanding. We are sustained by the realization
that the Divine Power ordains all things and
gives to each of us a labor suitable to our
abilities. Christmas is a renewal of faith, and it
is our privilege to build stronger and more enduring
foundations to support our ideals and
convictions. In the year ahead, let us use wisely
arid lovingly the gifts that heaven has bestowed
and the earth has provided. We keep faith with
the Christian Mystery by serving the wisdom of
the heart and helping those who are heavily burdened
with the emergencies of modern living.
May you all have the most precious gift of all—the privilege of mutual friendship and understanding.
The Christmas festival is an occasion for serving
and sharing. For a little while, we turn from
the common labors of the day and the problems
of personal travail to honor the ministry of
Jesus, the Christ, and give special heed to his
commandments. He has told us to love one another,
to protect the infirm, to cherish the
widow and the fatherless, and minister to the
stranger outside of the gate. These things we do
in memory of him. May we all share together the
blessings of this holy season and find spiritual
refreshment in the works of grace.
Manly P. Hall, PRS Journal (Winter, 1982) Vol. 42, No. 4: p. 1