Published on December 31, 1864, and drawn by Thomas Nast, the above picture has Lincoln inviting the starving Confederate states to join the Christmas dinner of the Union States. The print brings to mind the phrase that Lincoln would make immortal in his Second Inaugural in a few short months: “With malice towards none, with charity for all”. Not a bad sentiment to recall at Christmas time, or any time.
The song uses the Protestant misinterpretation of this passage. It is not “peace on earth, good will to men” as they use it but rather, “peace on earth, to men of good will.” The difference is important because those who are evil or do evil cannot give us peace. Only those of good will can obtain peace.
““peace on earth, to men of good will.”” Men of good will have good will. Men who have none, that is good will need it to be wished for them.
The slaves were invited by Lincoln. Slave or free man, the slave became citizen at birth. The slave caught and sold by their countrymen are still citizens of their country.
“peace on earth, to men of good will.”” The Protestant bible also calls the Infinite Supreme Sovereign Being a “which” instead of a Who, a sovereign Person, one of a Trinity of sovereign persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Does this mean that the Protestant bible has no Trinity or Holy Spirit? I do not know. I
It is possible that even Protestants do not know.
Perhaps Pope Francis who lacks the Holy Spirit is Protestant.
Mary DeVoe-
It’s a trap to ask ” do the Protestants…”
They are not monolithic and began to splinter as soon as they abandoned the Church.
About the only thing they agree on is that they’re not Catholic!
The Bruised Optimist:
Thank you.
How does this translate into killing Catholics?
The last Christmas of that War, thanks be to God.