The meaning of “In Hoc Anno Domini” is, “This year of the Lord.” It is the title a Vermont Royster 1949 editorial in the Wall Street Journal. The WSJ reprints his editorial every year, such is the clarity of its prose and power of its message.
Having fought in World War II, Mr. Royster knew something of the world. After the war ended and servicemen returned home, and after he had been editor of the WSJ for three years, Mr. Royster took up his pen during the Christmas season and began this way:
“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, in the government and in society, for the centurions saw that it was so. But everywhere there was something else, too. There was oppression … What was a man for but to serve Caesar?”
Until a light appeared in the world: “… and the men who lived in darkness were afraid, and they tried to lower a curtain so that men would still believe salvation lay with the leaders … Paul of Tarsus, too, was sore afraid. He feared that other Caesars, other prophets, might one day persuade men that man was nothing save a servant … Then might it come to pass that darkness would settle again over the lands and there would be a burning of books … giving heed only to new Caesars and to false prophets.”
Mr. Royster’s last paragraph hastens: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Prophetic words then as now to live in light and not in darkness.
Fun facts: Mr. Royster was editor of WSJ from 1946 through 1971. Pulitzer Prize and Medal of Freedom winner, his medal citation reads: “his common sense exploded pretension” and “his compelling eloquence warned of the evils of society loosed from its moorings in faith.”
Faith is celebrated and passed down this time of year in celebrations near and far. On Sunday night, Dec. 21, this week, the renovated sanctuary at Healdsburg Community Church (1100 University Ave.) was filled with celebrants participating in the annual no-rehearsal pageant memorializing Jesus’ birth in a manger. The church’s motto: “We are seeking to live like Jesus so others can experience God’s love.” All are welcome.
