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EllenG.WhitestatementsrelatedtotheobservanceofChristmas
andholidaygifts
[ReturntotheHomepage]
[ReturntotheIssues&Answerspage]

ChristmasisComing
ToGlorifyGod,NotMan
TheDayNottoBeIgnoredWithChildren
SubstituteInnocentPleasuresforSinfulAmusements
AChristmasTree
ChristmasGifts
TurntheCurrentHeavenward
HolidayGifts
DivertedFromtheTrueObject
TheRewardofSelfDenial
TheHolidays
FollowChrist'sExample
OfferingsConsecratedtoGod
AChristmasTree
ANewYear'sTree
InterestingHolidays
TheAttractionsoftheChristianLife

ChristmasisComing
[TopofDocument]

"Christmasiscoming,"isthenotethatissoundedthroughoutourworldfromeasttowestandfromnorthtosouth.Withyouth,thoseof
matureage,andeventheaged,itisaperiodofgeneralrejoicing,ofgreatgladness.ButwhatisChristmas,thatitshoulddemandsomuch
attention?Thisdayhasbeenmademuchofforcenturies.Itisacceptedbytheunbelievingworld,andbytheChristianworldgenerally,as
thedayonwhichChristwasborn.Whentheworldatlargecelebratestheday,theyshownohonortoChrist.Theyrefusetoacknowledge
HimastheirSaviour,tohonorHimbywillingobediencetoHisservice.Theyshowpreferencetotheday,butnonetotheoneforwhomthe
dayiscelebrated,JesusChrist.
ThetwentyfifthofDecemberissupposedtobethedayofthebirthofJesusChrist,anditsobservancehasbecomecustomaryandpopular.
butyetthereisnocertaintythatwearekeepingtheveritabledayofourSaviour'sbirth.Historygivesusnocertainassuranceofthis.The
Bibledoesnotgiveustheprecisetime.HadtheLorddeemedthisknowledgeessentialtooursalvation,HewouldhavespokenthroughHis
prophetsandapostlesthatwemightknowallaboutthematter.ButthesilenceoftheScripturesuponthispointevidencestousthatitis
hiddenfromusforthewisestpurposes.
InHiswisdomtheLordconcealedtheplacewhereHeburiedMoses.Godburiedhim,andGodresurrectedhimandtookhimtoheaven.
Thissecrecywastopreventidolatry.Heagainstwhomtheyrebelledwhilehewasinactiveservice,whomtheyprovokedalmostbeyond
humanendurance,wasalmostworshipedasGodafterhisseparationfromthembydeath.FortheverysamepurposeHehasconcealedthe
precisedayofChrist'sbirththatthedayshouldnotreceivethehonorthatshouldbegiventoChristastheRedeemeroftheworldonetobe
received,tobetrusted,tobereliedonasHewhocouldsavetotheuttermostallwhocomeuntoHim.Thesoul'sadorationshouldbegiven
toJesusastheSonoftheinfiniteGod.

ToGlorifyGod,NotMan
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ThereisnodivinesanctityrestinguponthetwentyfifthofDecemberanditisnotpleasingtoGodthatanythingthatconcernsthesalvation
ofmenthroughtheinfinitesacrificemadeforthem,shouldbesosadlypervertedfromitsprofesseddesign.Christshouldbethesupreme
objectbutasChristmashasbeenobserved,thegloryisturnedfromHimtomortalman,whosesinful,defectivecharactermadeitnecessary
forHimtocometoourworld.

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Jesus,theMajestyofheaven,theroyalKingofheaven,laidasideHisroyalty,leftHisthroneofglory,Hishighcommand,andcameinto
ourworldtobringtofallenman,weakenedinmoralpower,andcorruptedbysin,aiddivine.HeclothedHisdivinitywithhumanity,thatHe
mightreachtotheverydepthsofhumanwoeandmisery,toliftupfallenman.BytakinguponHimselfman'snature,Heraisedhumanityin
thescaleofmoralvaluewithGod.Thosegreatthemesarealmosttoohigh,toodeep,tooinfinite,forthecomprehensionoffiniteminds.
Parentsshouldkeepthesethingsbeforetheirchildrenandinstructthem,lineuponline,preceptuponprecept,intheirobligationtoGodnot
theirobligationtoeachother,tohonorandglorifyoneanotherbygiftsandofferings.ButtheyshouldbetaughtthatJesusistheworld's
Redeemer, the object of thought, of painstaking effort that His work is the grand theme which should engage their attention that they
shouldbringtoHimtheirgiftsandofferings.Thusdidthewisemenandtheshepherds.

TheDayNottoBeIgnoredWithChildren
[TopofDocument]

As the twentyfifth of December is observed to commemorate the birth of Christ, as the children have been instructed by precept and
examplethatthiswasindeedadayofgladnessandrejoicing,youwillfinditadifficultmattertopassoverthisperiodwithoutgivingit
someattention.Itcanbemadetoserveaverygoodpurpose.
The youth should be treated very carefully. They should not be left on Christmas to find their own amusement in vanity and pleasure
seeking,inamusementswhichwillbedetrimentaltotheirspirituality.Parentscancontrolthismatterbyturningthemindsandtheofferings
oftheirchildrentoGodandHiscauseandthesalvationofsouls.
Thedesireforamusement,insteadofbeingquenchedandarbitrarilyruleddown,shouldbecontrolledanddirectedbypainstakingeffort
uponthepartoftheparents.Theirdesiretomakegiftsmaybeturnedintopureandholychannels,andmadetoresultingoodtoourfellow
men by supplying the treasury in the great, grand work for which Christ came into our world. Selfdenial and selfsacrifice marked His
courseofaction.LetitmarkourswhoprofesstoloveJesusbecauseinHimiscenteredourhopeofeternallife.

SubstituteInnocentPleasuresforSinfulAmusements
[TopofDocument]

Youthcannotbemadeassedateandgraveasoldage,thechildassoberasthesire.Whilesinfulamusementsarecondemned,astheyshould
be,letparents,teachers,andguardiansofyouthprovideintheirsteadinnocentpleasureswhichshallnottaintorcorruptthemorals.Donot
binddowntheyoungtorigidrulesandrestraintsthatwillleadthemtofeelthemselvesoppressedandtobreakoverandrushintopathsof
follyanddestruction.Withafirm,kindly,consideratehandholdthelinesofgovernment,guidingandcontrollingtheirmindsandpurposes,
yetsogently,sowisely,solovingly,thattheystillwillknowthatyouhavetheirbestgoodinview.

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Howmanyparentsarelamentingthefactthattheycannotkeeptheirchildrenathome,thattheyhavenoloveforhome.Atanearlyagethey
have a desire for the company of strangers and as soon as they are old enough they break away from that which appears to them to be
bondageandunreasonablerestraint,andwillneitherheedamother'sprayersnorafather'scounsels.Investigationwouldgenerallyreveal
thatthesinlayatthedooroftheparents.Theyhavenotmadehomewhatitoughttobeattractive,pleasant,radiantwiththesunshineof
kindwords,pleasantlooks,andtruelove.
Thesecretofsavingyourchildrenliesinmakingyourhomelovelyandattractive.IndulgenceinparentswillnotbindthechildrentoGod
nortohomebutafirm,godlyinfluencetoproperlytrainandeducatethemindwouldsavemanychildrenfromruin.

AChristmasTree
[TopofDocument]

OnChristmas,sosoontocome,letnottheparentstakethepositionthatanevergreenplacedinthechurchfortheamusementoftheSabbath
schoolscholarsisasinforitmaybemadeagreatblessing.Keepbeforetheirmindsbenevolentobjects.Innocaseshouldmereamusement
betheobjectofthesegatherings.Whiletheremaybesomewhowillturntheseoccasionsintoseasonsofcarelesslevity,andwhoseminds
willnotreceivethedivineimpress,toothermindsandcharacterstheseseasonswillbehighlybeneficial.Iamfullysatisfiedthatinnocent
substitutescanbedevisedformanygatheringsthatdemoralize.

Christmasiscoming.Mayyouallhavewisdomtomakeitapreciousseason.Lettheolderchurchmembersunite,heartandsoul,withtheir
childrenintheirinnocentamusementandrecreation,indevisingwaysandmeanstoshowtruerespecttoJesusbybringingtoHimgiftsand
offerings.LeteveryoneremembertheclaimsofGod.Hiscausecannotgoforwardwithoutyouraid.Letthegiftsyouhaveusuallybestowed
upononeanotherbeplacedintheLord'streasury....IneverychurchletyoursmallerofferingsbeplaceduponyourChristmastree.Letthe
preciousemblem"evergreen"suggesttheholyworkofGodandHisbeneficencetousandthelovingheartworkwillbetosaveothersouls
whoareindarkness.Letyourworksbeinaccordancewithyourfaith....
EverytreeinSatan'sgardenhangsladenwiththefruitsofvanity,pride,selfimportance,evildesire,extravaganceallpoisonedfruit,but
verygratifyingtothecarnalheart.LettheseveralchurchespresenttoGodChristmastreesineverychurch,andthenletthemhangthereon
thefruitsofbeneficenceandgratitudeofferingscomingfromwillingheartsandhands,fruitsthatGodwillacceptasanexpressionofour
faithandourgreatlovetoHimforthegiftofHisSon,JesusChrist.Lettheevergreenbeladenwithfruit,richandpureandholy,acceptable
toGod.ShallwenothavesuchaChristmasasHeavencanapprove?

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ChristmasGifts
[TopofDocument]

Thousandsofdollars(in1884)areneedlesslyspenteveryyearingiftstoeachother.ThatismeanslosttoGod,losttoHiscause.Itpleases
thevanity,encouragespride,createsallkindsofdissatisfaction,murmuring,andcomplaints,becauseperhapsthegiftsarenotjustwhatwas
desired,notofthehighvaluewantedorexpected.
Christmasisnotobservedasitsnameimpliesitshouldbe.ManhasforsakenGodinalmosteverything,andhasturnedtheattentiontoself.
HehasleftthepurespringsoflivingwaterswhichflowfromthethroneofGod,andhewnouttohimselfbrokencisternswhichcanholdno
water.Godgavemanaprobationthathemightbefittedforheaven.HewastolookupwardtoGod,whowastobethesoul'sadoration,but
talent,skill,andinventivepowersareallexercisedtomakeselfthesupremeobjectofattention.ManhaswithdrawnhisgazefromDeity,
andfastenedhiseyesuponthefinite,theearthly,thecorruptible.
SatanisinthisworktoputGodoutofthemindandinterposetheworldandselfthattheeyeshallnotbesingletothegloryofGod.Satan
captivatesandensnaresthemind.Hisinfernalwisdomiscontinuallyexercisedtomoldandfashionthematerialwithwhichhehastodeal,
tomakeGodtheleastandthelastobjectofdevotion.

TurntheCurrentHeavenward
[TopofDocument]

Thevariousamusementsofsocietyhavebeentheruinofthousandswho,butforthesedevicesofSatan,mightbeservantsofthelivingGod.
There are wrecks of character seen everywhere who have been destroyed by gilded, fashionable pleasure and still the work is going
forward.Thousandsmorewillgotoruinwhowillnotopentheireyestoseeandsensethefactthat,althoughtheyareprofessedChristians,
theyareloversofpleasuremorethanloversofGod....
Now,brethren,letusonChristmasmakespecialeffortstocomebeforetheLordwithgiftsandgratefulofferingsforthegiftofJesusChrist
asaRedeemertotheworld.Letnothingnowbespentneedlessly,butleteverypennythatcanbesparedbeputouttotheexchangers.Satan
hashadhiswayinmanagingtheseoccasionstosuithimself.Nowletusturnthecurrentheavenwardinsteadofearthward.Letusshowby
ourofferingsthatweappreciatetheselfdenialandsacrificeofChristinourbehalf.LetGodbebroughttoremembrancebyeverychildand
parentandlettheofferings,bothsmallandlarge,bebroughttothestorehouseofGod.
Youthathavemeans,whohavebeeninthehabitofmakingdonationstoyourrelativesandfriendsuntilyouareatalosstoknowwhatto
inventthatwillbenewandinterestingtothem,seektoputyouringenuitytothetest,aswellasyourinfluence,toseehowmuchmeansyou
maygathertoadvancetheworkoftheLord.LetyourskillandyourcapacitiesbeemployedtomakethecomingChristmasoneofintense
interest,payingyouraddressestotheGodofheaveninwilling,gratefulofferings.Follownolongertheworld'scustoms.Makeabreakhere,
andseeifthisChristmascannotshowthousandsofdollarsflowingintothetreasury,thatGod'sstorehousemaynotbeempty.

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Youmaynotberecompensedonearth,butyouwillberewardedinthefuturelife,andthatabundantly.letthosewhohavesolongplanned
forselfnowbegintoplanforthecauseofGod,andyouwillcertainlyhaveincreasedwisdom.Lettheconsciencebeenlightened,andthe
loveoftruthandofChristtaketheplaceofidolatrousthoughtsandloveofself.
Willyounotarise,myChristianbrethrenandsisters,andgirdyourselvesfordutyinthefearofGod,soarrangingthismatterthatitshallnot
bedryanduninteresting,butfullofinnocentenjoymentthatshallbearthesignetofHeaven?Iknowthepoorerclasswillrespondtothese
suggestions.ThemostwealthyshouldalsoshowaninterestandbestowtheirgiftsandofferingsproportionatetothemeanswithwhichGod
has entrusted them. Let there be recorded in the heavenly books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen, because of the donations
whichshallbegivenforthesustainingoftheworkofGodandtheupbuildingofHiskingdom.ReviewandHerald,December9,1884.(Portionin
TheAdventistHome,pp.477483).

HolidayGifts
[TopofDocument]

Theholidayseasonisfastapproachingwithitsinterchangeofgifts,andoldandyoungareintentlystudyingwhattheycanbestowupontheir
friendsasatokenofaffectionateremembrance.Itispleasanttoreceiveagift,howeversmall,fromthosewelove.Itisanassurancethatwe
arenotforgotten,andseemstobindustothemalittlecloser.
Brethrenandsisters,whileyouaredevisinggiftsforoneanother,IwouldremindyouofourheavenlyFriend,lestyoushouldbeunmindful
of His claims. Will He not be pleased if we show that we have not forgotten Him? Jesus, the Prince of Life, gave all to bring salvation
withinourreach....Hesufferedevenuntodeath,thatHemightgiveuseternallife.
It is through Christthat wereceive everyblessing.. .. Shallnotour heavenlyBenefactor shareinthe tokensofourgratitudeandlove?
Come,brethrenandsisters,comewithyourchildren,eventhebabesinyourarms,andbringyourofferingstoGodaccordingtoyourability.
MakemelodytoHiminyourhearts,andletHispraisebeuponyourlips.LetusrejoicethatourSaviourlivethtomakeintercessionforusin
thepresenceofJehovah.AsapeoplewehavebacksliddenfromGodletusreturnuntoHim,andHewillreturnuntous,andwillhealallour
backslidings. Let us, upon the coming Christmas and New Year's festivals, not only make an offering to God of our means, but give
ourselvesunreservedlytoHim,alivingsacrifice....
WhileurginguponallthedutyoffirstbringingtheirofferingstoGod,IwouldnotwhollycondemnthepracticeofmakingChristmasand
NewYear'sgiftstoourfriends.ItisrighttobestowupononeanothertokensofloveandremembranceifwedonotinthisforgetGod,our
bestfriend.Weshouldmakeourgiftssuchaswillprovearealbenefittothereceiver.Iwouldrecommendsuchbooksaswillbeanaidin
understanding the Word of God, or that will increase our love for its precepts. Provide something to be read during these long winter
evenings....
WeneedtothinkmoreofGodandlessofourselves.IfwewouldbutthinkofHimasoftenaswehaveevidenceofHiscareforus,we
wouldkeepHimeverinourthoughts,andwoulddelighttotalkofHimandpraiseHim.Wetalkoftemporalthingsbecausewehavean
interestinthem.

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Wetalkofourfriendsbecausewelovethemourjoysandoursorrowsareboundupwiththem.Yetwehaveinfinitelygreaterreasonto

loveGodthantoloveourearthlyfriendswereceivemorefromHimthanfromanyotherfriend,anditshouldbethemostnaturalthingin
theworldtomakeGodfirstinallourthoughts,totalkofHisgoodnessandtellofHispower,andtorespondtoHislovebyourfreewillgifts
andofferingsforHiscause.ReviewandHerald,December26,1882.

DivertedFromtheTrueObject
[TopofDocument]

OurchildrenhavebeeneducatedtoexpectgiftsfromparentsandfriendsuponChristmas.ChristmasiscelebratedtocommemorateChrist's
birth.Ifwecelebrateitonlyinseekingtogivepleasuretoourchildrenandoneanother,ourofferingsaredivertedfromthetrueobject.We
shouldbringourthankofferingstotheLord,layingourgiftsatthefeetofHimwhohasopenedthetreasuresofheaventous.
TheenemyplansthathumanmindsandheartsshallbedivertedfromGodandHiscause,topraiseandhonoroneanother.Godhasbeenleft
outofthequestion,andpositivelydishonored.Christmashasbeenmadeadayoffeasting,ofgluttony,ofselfishindulgence.
Nowleteveryfamilyconsiderthismatterinallitsbearings.Lettheparentsplaceitinallitswonderfulsignificancebeforetheirchildren
andfriends,andsay:"Thisyearwewillnotexpendmoneyinpresentsuponourselves,butwewillhonorandglorifyGod.Wewilltestifyof
ourgratitudetoHimwhogaveHisSontodieasoursacrifice,thatwemighthavethegiftofeternallife."Letusshowthatweappreciate
this gift, and respond as far as it is in our power with thank offerings. Let us celebrate Christmas by remembering God instead of
rememberingourfriendsandrelativeswithgiftswhichtheydonotneed.

TheRewardofSelfDenial
[TopofDocument]

Will not God acknowledge the offerings thus bestowed? Will He not bless the little ones who bring some offering of their own to the
Master?IndeedHewill!IsnotthisamostpreciousopportunitytoeducateyourchildrenintheworkofselfdenialforJesus'sake?Tellthe
childrenofthegreatmissionaryfieldandtalktothemoftheloveofChrist,ofthegreatsacrificemadebecauseHelovedusandwantedusto
haveahomewithHiminHiskingdom.HecametoourworldtoblessitwithHisdivinepresence,tobringpeace,andlightandjoy.Butthe
worldwouldnotreceiveHimandputthePrinceofLifetodeath.Hisdeathwastobringthetreasuresofheavenwithinthereachofallwho
shouldbelieveinJesus.
Makethisgloriousthemeplaintoyourchildren,andastheiryoungheartsexpandwithlovetoGodletthempresenttheirlittleofferingsthat

theymayacttheirpartinsendingthepreciouslightoftruthtoothers.ThusthechildrenmaybecomelittlemissionariesfortheMaster.Their
little offerings, coming into the treasury like many tiny rivulets, may swell the stream to a river that shall refresh many souls who are
thirstingforthetruthofGodandeventhesechildrenmayseesomesoulssavedinthekingdomofGodastheresultoftheirselfdenial.
ReviewandHeraldExtra,December11,1888.

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TheHolidays
[TopofDocument]

Wearerapidlyapproachingtheseasonoftheholidays,andmanyconscientiousonesarenowquestioningwhatcoursetheymaypursuethat
will be pleasing in the sight of God. By the world the holidays are spent in frivolity and extravagance, gluttony and display. It is the
prevailingcustomatthistimetomakeandreceivepresents.Anditisnosmallburdenuponthemindtoknowhowtodistributethesegifts
amongfriendssothatnonewillfeelslighted.Itisafactthatmuchenvyandjealousyareoftencreatedbythiscustomofgivingpresents.
ThousandsofdollarswillbeworsethanthrownawayuponthecomingChristmasandNewYear'sinneedlessindulgences.Butitisour
privilegetodepartfromthecustomsandpracticesofthisdegenerateage,andinsteadofexpendingmeansmerelyforthegratificationofthe
appetite,orforneedlessornamentsorarticlesofclothing,wemaymakethecomingholidaysanoccasioninwhichtohonorandglorifyGod.
Weadviseallourbrethrenandsisterstomakeadecidedreforminregardtothesefestaldays.ThosewhoappreciatethegiftofGod'sdear
Son to save them from ruin, now have a favorable opportunity to give tangible proofs of their gratitude by rendering to God their thank
offerings.LetoldandyounglayasidetheirmitesassacredofferingstoGod.IfwewouldgivetothecauseofourRedeemeronehalfas
muchaswehavebestoweduponourfriends,wewoulddomuchgoodandreceiveablessingforgiving.

FollowChrist'sExample
[TopofDocument]

LetusseektofaithfullyrepresentChristonthecomingfestaldaysbyimitatingHisexampleasHewentaboutdoinggood.Itisimpossible
toenjoytheapprobationofGodwhilelivingforself.AsChristianswhoprofessalivingfaithinthenearcomingoftheSonofman,keeping

all of God's commandments, let us make earnest efforts to draw near to God through Jesus Christ and make a covenant with Him by
sacrifice.Inourprinciplesofactionwemustbeelevatedabovethecustomsandfashionsoftheworld.Christcametoourworldtoelevate
themindsofmentothedivinelevel,andtobringthemintosympathywiththemindofGod.
Aseveryblessingweenjoyisbroughttousthroughthecondescension,humiliation,andsacrificeofJesusChrist,weshouldrendertoHim
our best gifts above all not withholding ourselves. The infinite sacrifice which Christ has made to free us from the guilt and woe of sin
shouldworkineveryheartaspiritofgratitudeandselfdenialwhichisnotmanifestedbytheworld.God'sgiftofChristtomanfilledall
heavenwithamazement,andinspiredatHisbirththeangelicsong"GlorytoGodinthehighest,andonearthpeace,goodwilltowardmen."
Christmasday,preciousreminderofthesacrificemadeinman'sbehalf,shouldnotbedevotedtogluttonyandselfindulgence,thusexalting
thecreatureabovetheCreator.Letuswhoarepartakersofthisgreatsalvationshowthatwehavesomeappreciationofthegiftbyrendering
toGodourthankofferings.Ifwewouldindulgelessinfeastingandmerrimentupontheseoccasions,andinsteadmakethemthemeansof
benefitinghumanity,weshouldbettermeetthemindofGod.Itisapleasureandgratificationtoexchangegiftswithourfriends,butare
there not nobler and more glorious objects for which we may give our means, and thus do good by shedding light upon the pathway of
others?

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GiftSuggestions
[TopofDocument]

Therearemanywhohavenotbooksandpublicationsuponpresenttruth.Hereisalargefieldwheremoneycanbesafelyinvested.Thereare
largenumbersoflittleoneswhoshouldbesuppliedwithreading.TheSunshineSeries,GoldenGrainsSeries,Poem,Sabbath Readings,*
etc.,areallpreciousbooks,andmaybeintroducedsafelyintoeveryfamily.Themanytriflesusuallyspentincandiesanduselesstoysmay
betreasuredupwithwhichtobuythesevolumes.
[*Note: Reference is made in this article to current publications and building projects. As the principles set forth in this connection are
applicabletodaythesespecificreferencesareleftinthearticleasitisduplicated.]
Children need proper reading, which will afford amusement and recreation, and not demoralize the mind or weary the body. If they are
taughttoloveromanceandnewspapertales,instructivebooksandpaperswillbecomedistastefultothem.Mostchildrenandyoungpeople
will have reading matter and if it is not selected for them, they will select it for themselves. They can find a ruinous quality of reading
anywhere,andtheysoonlearntoloveit.Butifpureandgoodreadingisfurnishedthem,theywillcultivateatasteforthat.

Especialeffortsshouldbemadetoexcludefromourhomesthatclassofliteraturewhichcanhavenobeneficialinfluenceuponourchildren.
ManytimesIhavebeenpainedtofinduponthetablesorinthebookcasesofSabbathkeepers,papersandbooksfullofromance,whichtheir
childrenwereeagerlyperusing.
TherearethosewhoprofesstobebrethrenwhodonottaketheReview,Signs,Instructor,orGoodHealth, but take one or more secular
papers.Theirchildrenaredeeplyinterestedinreadingthefictitioustalesandlovestorieswhicharefoundinthesepapers,andwhichtheir
father can afford to pay for, although claiming that he cannot afford to pay for our periodicals and publications on present truth. Thus
parents are educating the taste of their children to greedily devour the sickly, sensational stores found in newspaper columns. All such
readingispoisonousitleavesastainuponthesoulandencouragesaloveforcheapreadingwhichwilldebasethemoralsandruinthemind.
Parents should guard their children and teach them to cultivate a pure imagination and to shun, as they would a leper, the lovesick pen
picturespresentedinnewspapers.Letpublicationsuponmoralandreligioussubjectsbefoundonyourtablesandinyourlibraries,thatyour
childrenmaycultivateatasteforelevatedreading.Letthosewhowishtomakevaluablepresentstotheirchildren,grandchildren,nephews,
andnieces,procureforthemthechildren'sbooksmentionedabove.Foryoungpeople,theLifeofJosephBatesisatreasure,alsothethree
volumesofSpiritofProphecy. These volumes should be placed in every family in the land. God is giving light from heaven, and not a
familyshouldbewithoutit.Letthepresentsyoushallmakebeofthatorderwhichwillshedbeamsoflightuponthepathwaytoheaven.

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OfferingsConsecratedtoGod
[TopofDocument]

AncientlythechildrenofIsraelwerecommandedtokeepthreeannualfeastseachyear:ThePassover,theFeastofTabernacles,andthe
FeastofWeeks.TheLordgavedirectionsthatontheseoccasionstheirgiftsandofferingsweretobeconsecratedtoHim,andnoneshould
appearbeforeHimemptyhanded.Butinourdayithasbecomefashionabletoobservethesefestaloccasionsinamannerthatwoulddivert
themindfromGodinsteadofbringingglorytoHisname.ThosewhomGodhasblessedwithprosperityshouldacknowledgetheGiver,and
feelthatwheremuchisgiven,muchwillberequired.
Ourholidayshavebeenpervertedfromtheirintendeduse.Giftsarelavishedupononeanother,andpraisewhichshouldhavebeengivento
God,towhomallthesethingsbelong,isbestoweduponpoormortals.
OurhousesofworshipinOaklandandBattleCreekareunderthepressureofdebt.TheDimeTabernaclebelongstousallweshouldall
haveaspecialinterestinit.

In order to accommodate the students at the College, the patients at the sanitarium, the laborers at the Office, and the large number of
worshipersconstantlycominginfromabroad,theerectionofthisspacioushouseofworshipwasapositivenecessity.Greatresponsibilities
restuponthoseatBattleCreek,andalsouponthosewhosearmsshouldbereachedouttosustaintheseinterestsatthegreatheartofthe
work.Notinalltheworldisthereabattlefieldfortruthandreformlikethis.Greatinterestsareinvolvedhere.TheSabbathschooland
collegeareeducatingtheyoung,anddeterminingthefuturedestinyofsouls.Thereishereacontinualnecessityofdevisingwaysandmeans
for the advancement of truth and the conversion of souls. Our people are not half awake to the demands of the times. The voice of
ProvidenceiscallinguponallwhohavetheloveofGodintheirheartstoarousetothisgreatemergency.Neverwasthereatimewhenso
muchwasatstakeastoday.NeverwasthereaperiodinwhichgreaterenergyandselfsacrificeweredemandedfromGod'scommandment
keepingpeople.

AChristmasTree
[TopofDocument]

Wearenownearingthecloseofanotheryear,andshallwenotmakethesefestaldaysopportunitiesinwhichtobringtoGodourofferings?
Icannotsaysacrifices,forweshallonlyberenderingtoGodthatwhichisHisalready,andwhichHehasonlyentrustedtoustillHeshall
callforit.GodwouldbewellpleasedifonChristmaseachchurchwouldhaveaChristmastreeonwhichshallbehungofferings,greatand
small,forthesehousesofworship.Lettersofinquiryhavecometousasking,ShallwehaveaChristmastree?Willitnotbeliketheworld?
Weanswer,Youcanmakeitliketheworldifyouhaveadispositiontodoso,oryoucanmakeitasunliketheworldaspossible.Thereisno
particularsininselectingafragrantevergreenandplacingitinourchurchesbutthesinliesinthemotivewhichpromptstheactionsandthe
usewhichismadeofthegiftsplaceduponthetree.
Thetreemaybeastallanditsbranchesaswideasshallbestsuittheoccasionbutletitsboughsbeladenwiththegoldenandsilverfruitof
your beneficence, and present this to Him as your Christmas gift. Let your donations be sanctified by prayer and let the fruit upon this
consecratedtreebeappliedtowardsremovingthedebtsfromourhousesofworshipatBattleCreek,Michigan,andOakland,California.
Awordtothewiseissufficient.ReviewandHerald,December11,1879.

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ANewYear'sTree

[TopofDocument]

AtthecloseofmylongjourneyEast,IreachedmyhomeintimetospendNewYear'seveinHealdsburg.Thecollegehallhadbeenfittedup
for a Sabbath school reunion. Cypress wreaths, autumn leaves, evergreens, and flowers were tastefully arranged, and a large bell of
evergreenshungfromthearcheddoorwayattheentrancetotheroom.Thetreewaswellloadedwithdonations,whicheretobeusedforthe
benefitofthepoorandtohelppurchaseabell.Exceptinafewinstances,thenamesofthedonorswerenotgiven,butappropriateBible
texts and mottos were read as the gifts were taken down from the tree. On this occasion nothing was said or done that need burden the
conscienceofanyone.
Somehavesaidtome,"SisterWhite,whatdoyouthinkofthis?Isitinaccordancewithourfaith?"Ianswerthem,"Itiswithmyfaith."In
Healdsburg,SanFrancisco,andOakland,therearemanythingstoattractourchildrenlargesumsareexpendedeveryyearonChristmas
andNewYear'sinpurchasinggiftsforfriends.Thesegiftsarenotgenerallysatisfactory,formanyreceivepresentsthattheydonotneed,
whentheywouldbegladtohavesomeotherarticlesomereceivethesamearticlefromseveraldifferentpersons,andothersreceivenothing
atall.

InterestingHolidays
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Wehavetriedearnestlytomaketheholidaysasinterestingaspossibletotheyouthandchildren,whilechangingthisorderofthings.Our
objecthasbeentokeepthemawayfromscenesofamusementamongunbelievers.Insteadoffollowingaselfishcustomandgivingtothose
from whom presents will be expected in return, let us make our offerings to the Lord. This plan has proved successful in many of our
churches,anditwasasuccessonthisoccasion,thedonationsamountingto$138.ThusthenewyearwasopenedwithofferingstotheGiver
ofallourmerciesandblessings.
Ihavethoughtthatwhilewerestrainourchildrenfromworldlypleasuresthathaveatendencytocorruptandmislead,weoughttoprovide
theminnocentrecreationtoleadtheminpleasantpathswherethereisnodanger.NochildofGodneedhaveasadormournfulexperience.
Divinecommands,divinepromises,showthatthisisso.Wisdom'sways"arewaysofpleasantness,andallherpathsarepeace."Worldly
pleasuresareinfatuatingandfortheirmomentaryenjoymentmanysacrificethefriendshipofHeaven,withthepeace,love,andjoythatit
affords.Butthesechosenobjectsofdelightsoonbecomedisgusting,unsatisfying.

TheAttractionsoftheChristianLife

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WewanttodoallinourpowertowinsoulsbypresentingtheattractionsoftheChristianlife.OurGodisaloverofthebeautiful.Hemight
haveclothedtheearthwithbrownandgray,andthetreeswithvestmentsofmourninginsteadoftheirfoliageoflivinggreenbutHewould
haveHischildrenhappy.Everyleaf,everyopeningbudandbloomingflowerisatokenofHistenderlove,andweshouldaimtorepresent
toothersthiswonderfulloveexpressedinHiscreatedworks.

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Godwouldhaveeveryhouseholdandeverychurchexertawinningpowertodrawthechildrenawayfromtheseducingpleasuresofthe
world,andfromassociationwiththosewhoseinfluencewouldhaveacorruptingtendency.StudytowintheyouthtoJesus.Impresstheir
mindswiththemercyandgoodnessofGodinpermittingthem,sinfulthoughtheybe,toenjoytheadvantages,thegloryandhonor,ofbeing
sonsanddaughtersoftheMostHigh.Whatastupendousthought,whatunheardofcondescension,whatamazinglove,thatfinitemenmay
bealliedtotheOmnipotent!"TothemgaveHepowertobecomethesonsofGod,eventothemthatbelieveonHisname.""Beloved,now
arewethesonsofGod."Cananyworldlyhonorequalthis?
LetusrepresenttheChristianlifeasitreallyisletusmakethewaycheerful,inviting,interesting.Wecandothisifwewill.Wemayfill
ourownmindswithvividpicturesofspiritualandeternalthings,andinsodoinghelptomakethemarealitytootherminds.Faithsees
JesusstandingasourMediatorattherighthandofGod.FaithbeholdsthemansionsHehasgonetoprepareforthosewholoveHim.Faith
seestherobeandcrownallpreparedfortheovercomer.Faithhearsthesongsoftheredeemed,andbringseternalgloriesnear.Wemust
comeclosetoJesusinlovingobedienceifwewouldseetheKinginHisbeauty.ReviewandHerald,January29,1884.

EllenG.WhiteEstate
September,1962
RevisedDecember,1989
SilverSpring,Maryland

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