Illustration: Christmas—Missing the Point

On Dec. 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. On their fifth attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12-second flight.

Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message: WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS—WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!

Upon receiving the telegram, their sister, Katherine, went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brothers' new flying machine and informed him they would be home for Christmas if he would like to set up an interview. He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys.

On Dec. 19, the local paper placed the following headline on the sixth page of the paper: "Wright Brothers Home for Christmas."

The most important story of the year—man's first flight—and the editor missed it!

I wonder if the same could be said about us when it comes to Christmas. Look all around us…

• The trees are decorated
• The music is festive
• The Season is right. It is Christmas, and there are only a few shopping days left!

In all of our rushing around, in all of our gift buying, in all the things we have to do during this season, have we missed the idea? Jesus has come to earth! (Alan Tison)