First written in 1949, it has been reprinted every year since. Here is an
excerpt, it rings of relevance for today, and i decided to share it with
you. eric.
When Saul of Tarsus set out on his journey to Damascus the whole of the
known world lay in bondage. There was one state, and it was Rome. There was
one master for it all, and he was Tiberius Caesar.
Everywhere there was civil order, for the arm of the Roman law was long.
Everywhere there was stability, for the centurians saw it was so.
But everywhere there was something else, too. There was oppression - for
those who were not ther the friends of Tiberius Caesar. Tax gatherers took
grain from the fields, impressors found recruits. There were executioners to
quiet those whom the Emperor proscribed. And most of all, there was
everywhere a contempt for human life.
Then, all of a sudden, there was a light in the world, and a man from
Galilee saying, Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's and unto
God the things that are God's.
And the voice from Galilee, which would defy Caesar, offered a new Kingdom
in which each man could walk upright and bow to none but his God. Inasmuch
as ye have done it unto one of the least of my bretheren, ye have done it
unto me.
It came to pass in diverse places that the truth did set man free. Along
the road to Damascus the light shone brightly. But afterward Paul of Tarsus
was sore afraid. He feared that Caesars, other prophets, might one day
persuade men that man was nothing save a servant unto them, that men might
yield up their birthright from God for pottage and walk no more in freedom.
- [Goanet] A Christmas Editorial, Wall Street Journal eric pinto
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