Article December 22, 1928 Issue

True Christmas Gifts

LAURA BOWLBY MASSEY

The eastern Magi possess an attraction which has permeated all the Christian church, because of the record of their appearance at the manger wherein lay the infant Jesus. All that is known of this episode is that "there came wise men from the east," who brought gifts. And this is the first record of the giving of Christmas gifts, an act which, spiritually considered, is an excellent example to follow.

The Magi belonged, it is surmised, to that class of their race which was studious and religious, learned in the arts and in the science of astronomy, through which, possibly, they discovered the star of Bethlehem. Spiritual intuition having uncovered to them the purpose of the star, they determined to follow it in order to greet the newborn child. When they arrived at Jerusalem and their mission became known, they were summoned into conference with King Herod, who asked them during the interview to report to him when and where they found the child. Here the spiritual discernment which had impelled them to search for the child warned them not to accede to Herod's request. After they had been led by the star to the infant Jesus they paid homage to him, presented gifts of "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh"—gifts due only to royalty; and then they departed by "another way" to their distant home.

More beautiful than all the legendary splendor and artistic adornment that have surrounded the story of the Magi is the thought that the highest and purest culture of the Eastern world came from foreign lands to behold and honor the Bethlehem babe. This interesting and lovely story concerning the nativity has many other points of interest to Christian Scientists, when considered in their symbolical meaning and interpreted spiritually. We may even gain from this narrative lessons of worth to benefit us in our progress Spiritward. For instance, there is a lesson in the fact that the Magi brought gifts and paid homage to the child Jesus. In its spiritual import, this is almost a reproach to the casual investigator of Christian Science who, in searching for the Christ, Truth, seeks only to gain, and not to give. In following the star, which in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 320) Mrs. Eddy characterized as "the light of Love, to-day christening religion undefiled, divine Science," do we all seek to bring gifts and to pay homage, or are we looking only for healing and release from lack and untoward circumstances? And do we not often grumble when asked to give "gold, and frankincense, and myrrh"? Here the spiritual signification of the gifts of the Magi bears explication.

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