December 1983

Understanding Inc. P.O. Box 614 Alamogordo, NM 88311

The 1983 Christmas season is coming to a world that is torn, as it has never been before, by strife, hate, fear and a confused uncertainty toward the future. In Ireland and in Korea, in Israel and the Philippines, in Nicaragua and in Lebanon, terrorist groups operate in open defiance of existing governments. Car bombs explode without warning, in busy streets and buildings, killing and maiming large numbers of innocent men, women and children whose only wish was to live in peace. Most of these bombs are created and exploded by groups of unbalanced fanatics who attempt to use their perverted religions or politics as an excuse for their sadistic acts of insane brutality.

In our own cities, the streets are filled with gay Christmas decorations which almost hide the signs pointing to 'Bomb Shelters' and 'Evacuation Routes.' Many of our food stores, whose counters are piled high with Christmas goodies, have on their back shelves, a supply of plain cartons marked, 'Survival Food Kits' keep one in your home and another in your car at all times! The postman will bring us a handful of gaily decorated Christmas cards with the caption 'Peace on Earth, Good Will Towards Men' but among them we may find a grim little booklet entitled 'How to Survive a Nuclear Attack'!

If we sit before our television set in the evening, hoping to see again, some of the old Christmas favorites, such as Dicken's Christmas Carol, we may instead be subjected to a motion picture depicting in explicit detail, the incredible horrors and devastation of nuclear war.

Never before has the world needed the spirit of Christmas more, and never has it been more difficult to obtain! Perhaps the reason is that, although so many millions of persons, all over the world, celebrate the Christmas season, so few really remember why!

The bomb builders and the revenge seekers of the world go about shouting, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth! They have forgotten, if they ever knew, that Jesus of Nazareth, after He had been beaten, spat upon, jeered at, after a crown of thorns had been derisively forced upon His bleeding head and He had been nailed to a cross, made only one statement in reply. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!

One of our great weaknesses as a world civilization, is that we tend to follow, almost blindly, those who have achieved what we consider to be 'success.' We think of success in terms of wealth, social position and political or military power. These things bring fame, and fame is equated with success. Jesus of Nazareth, whose birth we celebrate during the Christmas season, had none of these. He had no worldly wealth with which to buy respect and attention; no political power with which to make or enforce laws; no army with which to compel obedience; and His only press agent was a 'man crying in the wilderness'. Yet He is remembered today while the 'successful' men of His time have long been forgotten! His simple words, and the example which He made of His own life, command more respect and honor than have ever been accorded to any dictator. The logic, the reason and the truth of the God given principles which He expressed so simply, have conquered more minds and hearts than all of the armies that have ever been assembled, and they still have more power to mo id the ultimate destiny of mankind than all of the nuclear weapons that will ever be made.

(signed) Daniel W. Fry

 

Many, many years ago, by unanimous vote, Dr. Daniel W. Fry was elected President For Life, of Understanding, Inc.

As soon as 1984 arrives, Understanding enters its 30th year! We will celebrate later in the year - so more about that later on.

The stars of friendship are shining brightly. We bask in their warmth. We have, "promises to keep and miles to go before we sleep," and we intend to spend that time, as always, doing important GOOD things for our world and the people in it!

Since all of the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today, is it not wise to be most careful of what one plants?

Recently a request came to Dr. Fry, (from a fine Research Corporation in Mobile, Ala.) to accept a four year corporate directorship. They say they can use his vast knowledge in the scientific field to help all mankind. His name was entered as of Nov. 18th and will be officially recognized at the next board meeting in March '84., which we plan to attend since we will be nearby lecturing.

Perhaps a new unit can be formed in Mobile? It's a lovely, beautiful and char g old city of which I am very fond.

The current GOOD news that we celebrate each year is Christmas! The gift of love the world received on that First Christmas, miraculously changes peoples lives, even today! It is a light through the darkness and love through the ages.

As one of our longtime members said, "When mankind finds the miracle of His Love WITHIN - then shall there be peace.

 

We thank you special people,

For joining Understanding's way,

You HELPED increase world happiness, In a most wonderful way.

In the year that follows,

Memories will give us pleasure,

And- remembering dear friends,

Will be our special  treasure!

 

WHEN WE GIVE EACH OTHER CHRISTMAS GIFTS IN HIS NAME LET US REMEMBER THAT HE HAS GIVEN US THE SUN, THE MOON THE STARS, AND THE EARTH WITH ITS FORESTS AND MOUNTAINS AND OCEANS' AND ALL THAT LIVES AND MOVES UPON THEM. HE HAS GIVEN US ALL GREEN THINGS AND EVERYTHING THAT BLOSSOMS AND BEARS FRUIT - AND ALL THAT WE QUARREL ABOUT, AND ALL THAT WE HAVE MISUSED - AND TO SAVE US FROM OUR OWN FOOLISHNESS, FROM ALL OUR SINS, HE CAME DOWN TO EARTH AND GAVE US HIMSELF

A glorious and happy NEW year to you all. (signed) Cleona Q. Fry Treasurer, P.O. Box 614 Alamogordo, New Mexico 88314

 

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