To defend one's country against the aggression of another is righteous action, but wars settled by brute force do not accomplish any lasting good. You cannot conquer your enemies by brute force. You must use love.

People do not intentionally love to be evil. They are evil because they do not know the greater charm of good habits and are unable to compare and select the best. Most people become evil due to the influence of opinion, and most people are unconsciously led to evil. People are evil due to the precedence of evil in their environment in early life, and people are evil because they do not know any better.

It behooves not Thy lily-tender feet
To dance on the hard-hearted soil of Souls.
On the petals of sympathy for others,
May Thy tenderness dance forever.

Our old tutor of last year has just passed away. Let us remember the joyous instructions and blissful experiences of the past year, and let us repeat them with greater intensity in the coming New Year. Let us forget the sorrows of the past and make up our minds not to bring them back in the coming New Year. With new determination and unflinching will, let us make up our mind to renew our life, our better habits, and our successes in the temple of the New Year.

This excerpt from an article by Paramhansa Yogananda, titled How Christ Consciousness Descends into Human Consciousness, could well be called "How to Celebrate Christmas." May the power of this message inspire you to an ever-deepening attunement with God and Christ within.