A.W. Woodburne M.D. 1947 THINK "Christmas
 

"Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, we have Good News for you tonight from every fighting front." With such words a commentator opened his broadcast during the war, thus voiceing satisfaction over a favorable turn of events in the fortunes of war. Yet the awful carnage incident to every victory made the term, Good News, a misnomer. Because such news even when favorable to the Allies, meant sad news and bad news to wives, sweethearts, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and kiddies whose share of the news was in forms of telegrams from the government, reading, "regret to inform," "Killed in Action". To them the nation was heart-rending news.

News from the fighting fronts was never good news to all the people even on the side of the victor, though heralded by whistles, trumpets, gun-fire and church bells. News that begets bereaved and broken hearts is horrible news for multitudes on both sides of any conflict.

Genuine Good News must bring "Glad tidings of great joy to 'all the people. Such was the Good News broadcast broadcast by an angelic commentator almost two thousand years ago to a bunch of shepherds. And it was intended that that broadcast should be transcribed and rebroadcast, along with other Good News to confirm it, by us whose receivers picked it up, to "all the world," "to every creature."

Merry Christmas! We say it so glibly, so easily, amid family reunions, big Christmas dinners and Christmas Tree excitement as presents are gaily exchanged. The six hundred million Christians if united, could perpetuate the magnificent manifestations of good will by following the founder of our Christmas in not only giving goodly gifts but by living but living lovable lives. That would pave the path for permanent peace. That is a challenge to each one of us. Notwithstanding all the fine gifts and generosity we are not yet generous enough. We must give the golden rule a chance. We must give the serious message of Christmas it's preeminence and not forget it in our festivities. We must not let the Christmas spirit continue to come and go, but so live that it will come and stay/

That's you're best post ever, IMHO.

I agree.

















Psssst! Do you think he cut and pasted it from somewhere?

Is that an excerpt from Think?

Googling the first and then the third paragraphs led only to the Cellar.

Nice job, JBK. :thumb:

I assume it's from Woodburn's 1955 collection of his essays he'd written during his career/life, but that's really not important to me.

Important is, JBK found it, realized how to the point it is, and brought it here, (and to the web), for people to read and think about.

Good job, JB. :thumb:

I wrote out the chapter from the book.. it makes sense to me.. kind of like burning the engines on a star ship.. just to get the rocket moving...

Sorry, I wasn't criticising, I was asking if it was a passage from the book in the thread title, or was it something inspired by the book in the thread title.

It's great either way

I would like to second Bruce. I think JB made a huge step with the op even if it's copied.

Still all about God though.

So?

Oh boy, JBK...you're almost mainstream now!

(Please don't be mainstream please don't be mainstream.) ;)

:)

Dose anyone have any 'thoughts regarding the content of this message???

It reminds me of Linus' wonderful speech in A Charlie Brown Christmas. I don't say that to make fun...that part always got to me.

I can't stand all the commercialism. I do love being with my family and friends at the holiday. This is what 'life lived well' means to me...that you show love to those you are close to, and that you show compassion and friendliness to those you don't know. This is the 'spirit of Christmas' to me...sans the whole religious aspect.