--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Unknown collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 30 number: 2 published: 1926-12 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Unknown, “A Christmas Story of Life,” *Improvement Era* 30, no. 2 (December 1926): 189." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3002unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera3002unse start_page: 189 end_page: 189 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1926-12) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3002unse publication_year: 1926 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1926, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Christmas Story of Life A CHRISTMAS STORY OF LIFE 189 "My dear, you remember the story Of a babe found on one Christmas day, Stowed away in a lowly manger, Asleep on a bed made of hay? Well, God loved that beautiful baby, And helped him to live and to grow, And kept him from harm, for the wicked Were wanting to kill him, you know. "And when he had grown up to manhood He obeyed his wise Father's word ; Proclaiming a message of mercy Wherever his teachings were heard. He told of a love everlasting, Bringing joy which nothing else can — The true love of one for another; Joy in dying for a fellowman." And was he a great soldier, Grandma, Like Daddy, who fought overseas? Did he die for his flag and his country. 'Mid battle and want and disease? Did he go, when his loved country called him. Leaving his family and friends, And give his young life for the colors Which every true hero defends?" "No; Christ did not fight for his country, He carried no weapon of war: He died to secure a salvation For all of mankind, near and far. Through him all are closely united, Each nation and kindred and tongue; All striving and struggling homeward To receive the great Master's, 'Well done'." 'Then why do men murder each other. And slay, g'orious victories to win? Why will bro'her wage war against bro her. And harbor contention and sin?" Tis because men are only weak mortals. With the lesson of patience unlearned; Too selfish to see their own errors, Their hearts to unrighteousness turned. "When all learn the lesson of mercy, With the true 'Golden Rule' as their guide. Then nation will clasp hand with nation. And go through this life side by side. Then judges will rule with true justice, The strife and the turmoil will cease; Then love will prevail unrestricted. And throughout the world will be peace. "But run on to bed now, my darling; Sweet dreams be your guide through the night. 'Till the bright Christmas dawns on the morrow — The birthday of Jesus, the Light. The bells will ring out the glad message, So old yet so new, once again — 'Glory to God in the highest! On earth peace and good will toward men." Fa'rvieu-. Utah. MRS. ALICE HOUSKEEPER