Editorial December 22, 1923 Issue

Christmas

Ella W. Hoag

"Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,"—thus spake the angel to the shepherds in that far-away time when Jesus was born in the little town of Bethlehem. Ever since then the Christian world has been seeking and searching to know just what this message really means. All sorts of interpretations have been presented by all sorts people. Like the Jews of Jesus' time, many have believed the "great joy" must be brought about through a material, temporal sense of good, after the fashion of some earthly kingdom. Theology has looked to have the "good tidings" fulfilled in a future heaven, believing that Jesus' mission on earth was simply to open the door thereto. Others have longingly hoped that right here and now evil might in some way be completely vanquished.

To-day multitudes still bow at the thought of Jesus' birth; they are hoping, longing, praying that the understanding of his mission may be so unfolded to men that none shall miss the fruition of good which the entire Christian world still trusts is to result in some glorious way from his life among men. All are longing to learn just the manner in which they are to cease fearing.

Christian Science, in its revelation of the truth about all things, shows us that Christmas need no longer be observed from a material standpoint, which often seems to result in deep disappointment; but thought may be lifted into an understanding of the spiritual meaning of Christmas, which does indeed prophesy "good tidings ... to all people." In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 260) Mrs. Eddy says: "The basis of Christmas is love loving its enemies, returning good for evil, love that 'suffereth long, and is kind.' The true spirit of Christmas elevates medicine to Mind; it casts out evils, heals the sick, raises the dormant faculties, appeals to all conditions, and supplies every need of man."

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December 22, 1923
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