Editorial November 30, 1912 Issue

CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS

MARY BAKER EDDY with contributions from Editor

Because  the observance of Christmas is so general, it is perhaps natural that there should be many inquiries at this season in regard to this holiday and the place it should hold in the thought of Christian Scientists. To answer these inquiries we are republishing three articles by our Leader in the order they previously appeared in the Sentinel under the dates Dec. 16, 1905, Jan. 6, 1906, Dec. 7, 1907, respectively. In these articles Mrs. Eddy speaks definitely and authoritatively on this subject, and we are sure her wise counsel will be welcomed at this time by all our readers, whether old or new. Other articles by Mrs. Eddy on the true meaning of Christmas are given in "Miscellaneous Writings," and these, together with those which follow, will richly repay individual study by Christian Scientists.

Certain occasions, considered collectively, individually, and observed properly, tend to give the activity of man infinite scope; but mere merry-making or needless gift-giving is not that wherein human capacities find the most appropriate and proper exercise. Christmas respects the Christ too much to submerge itself in merely temporary means and ends. It represents the eternal informing Soul recognized only in harmony, in the beauty and bounty of Life everlasting,—the truth that is Life,—the Life that heals and saves mankind. An eternal Christmas would make matter an alien save as phenomenon, and matter would reverentially withdraw itself before Mind. The despotism of material sense, or the flesh, would flee before such reality to make room for substance, and the shadow of frivolity and inaccuracy of material sense would disappear.

Christmas, in Christian Science, stands for the real, the absolute and eternal,—the things of Spirit, not matter. Science is divine; it hath no partnership with human means and ends, no half-way stations, nothing conditional or material belongs to it. Human reason and philosophy may pursue paths devious, the line of liquids, the lure of gold, the doubtful sense that falls short of substance—the things hoped for and evidence unseen.

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