Article January 7, 1911 Issue

HOLIDAYS AND HOME

MARY M. SMITH

At the Christmas season I am reminded of an experience which came to me some two years ago. Christmas morning had dawned cold and stormy, with a heavy rain falling. A keen sense of loneliness depressed me as I went about my morning tasks, for I was thinking of the dear ones who had gathered at the old homestead two thousand miles away, in honor of the day, and longed to be with them. With a heavy heart I took up Science and Health, opening it at the chapter called "The Apocalypse." As I read, a sense of peace and quietness began to steal over me; the description of the holy city had never before seemed so beautiful, and the last sentence of the 23rd Psalm, which closes this wonderful chapter, "'I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [Love] for ever'" (Science and Health, p. 578), brought to me a complete overcoming of the above-described condition.

Surely to dwell in the consciousness of Love is indeed to dwell "in the secret place of the most High," and to continue in this consciousness is to "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Then it suddenly dawned upon me that this consciousness is home, the only real, permanent home I could ever have, and that I could not be separated from it. Error immediately argued that this realization did not bring me any nearer my own kinsfolk; but the thought that "this spiritual, holy habitation has no boundary nor limit" (Ibid., p. 577), that it was for them and for all mankind, put this argument to silence. Being very happy in this new understanding of home, I thought for a moment that I would rather stay in my own rooms than go to dine with the friend who had so kindly invited me to her home; but on second thought I decided to go, feeling sure that I could not be separated from the joy of knowing I had found a new home, or rather that I could take my home with me.

During the afternoon I overheard my friend and hostess say to her mother, "I invited Miss Smith to spend the day with us because I was afraid she would be lonely, living all alone as she does, and so far from all her people; but really she is the most joyous individual I ever saw. I wonder what makes her so happy." Certainly I was glad to know I had been able to keep my new sense of home with me throughout the day. Now Christmas means more to me, because its real significance as the appearing of the Christ-idea to human consciousness has become clearly understood, and I am more grateful than ever for our text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," which is showing us how to follow the Master's teachings.

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