Of Christmas—and of Things to Come – Sunday, December 24, 1944
It had been our hope, with yours, that we could greet you this Christmas with the world at peace. But this cherished blessing is not yet ours. Perhaps more longing thoughts for the absent, and more prayers, spoken and unspoken, are in the hearts of men than ever before. Perhaps so many never yearned so fervently for peace, and perhaps so few ever had it. Never, perhaps, were so many groping for some meaning and purpose and plan in the events they see before them. But notwithstanding many things to the contrary—notwithstanding vacant chairs and hearts heavy in their loneliness—the spirit of Christmas moves in, and takes over. Time does not dissipate it.
Distance is no barrier to the thoughts and feelings that belong to this day. And to you fathers and sons and brothers, over there—you on the seven seas, and you on the borders of ancient nations—to you for whom yearning hearts wait, and for whom young voices pray—you’ll open packages, you’ll swallow hard, you’ll ache inside. But there’ll be a warmth of feeling come over you. You’ll know you’re not forgotten—but you’ll never know just how much you’re not forgotten!
There are tightening throats and tear–filled eyes here, too. Somehow you’ll understand. . .. We know that greatest of all the gifts we could give you would be to keep your homes as you would have them—to keep your children in those paths where you would have guided them—and to preserve for you, all those things you have fought to keep the enemy from destroying—those things you hold dearer than life, and which you may rightly expect to find when you return to pursue in peace your plans and dreams and to live in peace with your families and friends. And this we would say to you also, wherever you are, whatever you’ve seen, however you’ve struggled and doubted: that God lives, that he gave men life everlasting, and that none can take it from them; that no plan or purpose of the Almighty is ever lost—not even when we don’t understand what is happening or why; that no promise will fail of fulfillment: the men of evil will be confounded; those who have suffered innocently by the deeds of the wicked will find full compensation; and no matter how badly men have behaved, the world will find its peace on the terms dictated by the Lord of lords and King of kings—and there will yet come another Christmas with peace.
May the spirit of Christmas, and the certainty of things to come, give you strength, and courage; may it bring to you among its gifts the faith that sustains in time of need, the faith that overrules bitterness and leaves quiet understanding; may it give you peace—this day and always. God bless us, every one.
*Revised from an editorial in The Improvement Era, December, 1944.
Heard over Radio Station KSL and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, Dec. 24, 1944. Copyright – 1944.
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December 24, 1944
Broadcast Number 0,801