Walter Albritton December 27, 2015 In 1957 I was a student at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. After completing my fall classes I was home in Alabama with Dean, awaiting the birth of our second child. Matt was born two days before Christmas. While opening Christmas cards that month I was surprised to receive one from the dean of the theology school, Dr. William Ragsdale Cannon. On the front of the card was printed a deeply moving poem he had composed. I knew immediately the card was a keeper. On Christmas Sunday I shared Cannon’s poem in my sermon. People loved it and wanted copies of it. This reinforced my feeling that the card was indeed a treasure. Over the years I have received thousands of Christmas cards but none is more cherished that the one with Cannon’s poem. Since 1957 I have shared the poem every Christmas. It touches the heart. It reminds us what really matters. It helps us focus on life’s true values. Christmas comes. Christmas goes. We take the tree down, box up the lights and decorations, stuff the wrapping paper in the trash can, and life moves on. And no matter what gifts we received on Christmas morning, we realize that what matters most about Christmas is the birth of the baby who is our Savior, Jesus Christ. Though Christmas is past I want to share with you one more time Cannon’s beautiful poem. Read it slowly. Reflect on its meaning. Consider it another gift two days after Christmas. It could be one of the finest gifts you will receive this Christmas. I cannot give the reason why A circumstance so old and small As Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem Should be remembered by us all. Earth was not young when he was born. Age after age had come and gone. Nor did time cease its endless track For countless years continued on. His was a simple life to live In haunts of pleasantness and pain. The Roman world but passed him by; On Caesar’s throne he did not reign. Now Rome and Caesar’s dead. Their deeds are like a tale that’s told. While men still look to Bethlehem God’s life to find as they of old. It all seems strange, like fancy wild; It cannot be, and yet it is, And will be still when time’s no more And earth is gone, and all that is. I cannot give the reason why And yet my heart is all aglow, For God was in that baby boy And love is all we need to know. Cannon, who would later be elected a Methodist bishop, nailed it. Love motivated Almighty God to come into the world as a baby boy and nothing matters more than love. Hate, violence and anger are belched out of hell. When the end comes, and the dust clears, the only thing remaining will be love. Love is truly all we need to know – in hard times and in good times. Believe it. Practice it. Do your best to live a life of love so when this short life is over you will be prepared to fall into the arms of the God who is love. + + +