Perhaps you say: Well, I can understand plainly enough why God the Father and the holy angels should bear Him good will. But were I to join in the singing, I must needs be convinced that the Father would also bear me good will. That is what I need to be convinced about. But here I stand telling myself: The best acts in my life, the purest thoughts in my soul, are darkened by sin. What then? Yes, that is true. But, then, tell me: Have you not at times felt the nearness of Jesus? Was not He your soul's refuge in the darkness? Was not He like a luminous star in your life? Was He not yours--conceived within you in the sacred moment of baptism, born into the world with pangs within your soul--perhaps in the darkness of night? But then the Father in Heaven does bear you good will. He does not look at the darkness of sin within you--that, He knows, will be vanquished by the light of His son, but He looks at His only begotten Son who is the luminous star of your life--the only one, but splendid and bright. Then you own in Him the Peace of Heaven and the good will of God our Father--and then you can _join in the singing_. 5. _The Joy of Understanding_ (JOHN 1, 1-14) Who among us does not remember Christmas at home?--In my own childhood home there was no Christmas tree, but a remarkably impressive solemnity reigned above and upon all during Christmas. Sometimes I still wish that I might become a child once more and celebrate Christmas at home again, with father and mother, grandmother and all those dear ones. That cannot be done, however, for all these beloved ones are having Christmas in the mansions of Heaven--and I am no longer a child. But about these Christmas memories, I want to say: "God, let me never, never forget them!" That was the joy without clearly conscious reasons. One was glad just because it was Christmas, but was unable to go into any further details about the reasons. But now I am a child no more!--Are we as "grown-ups" to be satisfied with the memory of our childhood Christmas, and by witnessing the pleasure of the children--share a little of that Christmas sentiment which envelops all? Undoubtedly, many people will answer: Yes, that is all. Christmas really is meant only for the children. Since we became experienced men and women who have become acquainted with the vexations and worries of life, we cannot thoroughly enjoy Christmas. To us, the law of life has been proclaimed in the words: "In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken." In the hard, wearying, suffering and struggling life of the world, the unconscious joy, that is, the joy that knows of no reason, is not enough. There is a craving for a joy that knows and understands the spirit of Christmas if one is to be completely glad--that is true! But what does the Gospel say: