p. 72 | A CHRISTMAS GLOBE by John Harvey Waggoner

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Feb 4, 1889

A CHRISTMAS GLOBE.

By John Harvey Waggoner

If we should write of a Christmas tree, every reader would know at once to what we referred. But a Christmas globe may not be so well understood.

We must say that we are not believers in Christmas, because we do not believe that Christ was born on the 25th of December. There is not a particle of proof that he was; no, not even a probability. This day has not even the force of tradition in its favor, for the churches in the early centuries did not believe in it. There is no duty to observe any day as the birthday of Christ, for God has not, either by his word or in his providence, made known that day to us. Therefore its observance is not a religious matter, in the better sense of religious duty. But the 25th of December has been chosen for the natal day of our Saviour, and almost all nations observe it in some manner.

The popular method of celebrating this day is to have an evergreen tree, and to decorate it in the evening with candles, and with toys and gifts for the children. By this means it is made an occasion of merriment, and it often serves to gratify selfish feelings far more than to incite to reverence and love for the Saviour. As the day is generally celebrated, we doubt whether it is any benefit at all to the cause of Christianity.

The recognition of the day, however, has become so general that it was desired to have some exercise in our house of worship in Basel, and the officers of the church and the Sabbath-school turned it to good account. A large concave of blue was erected to represent the vault of the sky. This was sprinkled over with stars made of white cards. At the left stood a building to represent the birth-place of the Saviour in Bethlehem, and a small electric star gave a brilliant light over it. At the right stood a cross. In the center was a globe about five feet in diameter, slowly revolving by means of water power from below. On the globe were marked out the various countries and islands, with stars to mark the location of our various missions. A specially fine star pointed out Pitcairn Island, as the only place in the world where every inhabitant keeps the Sabbath of the Lord. Above the globe, in the vault of blue, were suspended three flying angels, with their messages, to represent Rev. 14:6-12.

Professor Kunz gave a brief sketch of the missions, and as he came to each one in order, a small boy came forward bearing a branch of evergreen, on which was a banner with the name of the mission plainly printed on it. A set of plainer banners indicated the great divisions of the world where we have no missions. There was also a Bible exercise for the children. Appropriate singing enlivened it all.

Altogether it was interesting and instructive. It gave a far better knowledge of our missionary work than could have been imparted in any other manner.

Contributions for our missions were taken by the boys bearing the mission banners. These amounted to 837 francs.

The attendance was large, some being present who were never before in our house of worship, and all were much interested. J. H. W.