Christ Jesus

MARGARET E. GLEASON

As we approach the season which commemorates the birth of Jesus, who was to show us the way or plan of salvation from materiality, our thoughts naturally turn to the records of those who spiritually foresaw and prophesied his coming and his mission among men. Isaiah heralds the appearing of the Christ in unmistakable and triumphant language with which all Bible students are familiar: "Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Christendom has always loved the story of the Bethlehem babe and held in profound reverence the wondrous career of the Master that followed his youthful years. Jesus realized very early what his work was to be; and without doubt even then he pointed the way of salvation which has been largely misunderstood. His compassion was great; and when he found receptivity, his healing of suffering was immediate. Daily and hourly he was found teaching, preaching, healing—living and proving the true way of life, the way of life eternal.

"Truth has furnished the key to the kingdom, and with this key Christian Science has opened the door of the human understanding. None may pick the lock nor enter by some other door." Thus writes Mary Baker Eddy, the revelator of Truth to this age, on page 99 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures." Her writings interpret and make plain the way Christ Jesus taught, so that all may understand.

The writer well remembers what joy the healing message of Christian Science brought to her, gradually restoring her to health and freedom after years of illness and physical weakness, and awakening in her the desire to be of service to others, a desire which always accompanies true healing. How wonderful was the experience! No other word could so beautifully and perfectly describe her first healing step in the understanding of Truth.

The second step in the path, which follows naturally and necessarily, shows that the "Counsellor" is leading thought ever upward. In the light of Christian Science this brings the correction of all that is false or erroneous, and its replacement with the good and the true, the real and the eternal. The overcoming of the myriad forms of selfishness, which are all alike foes to progress, makes way for the reflection and expression, in thought, word, and deed, of the true selfhood or identity.

Our Leader was ever earnest in her endeavor to point the way; and she says of her own efforts (ibid., p. 426), "The discoverer of Christian Science finds the path less difficult when she has the high goal always before her thoughts, than when she counts her footsteps in endeavoring to reach it." Sometimes the journey may call for much effort on our part. But do not all worth-while achievements and lasting good in one's footsteps heavenward come through sacrifice, through the letting go of the false and material to make room for the real and eternal—the spiritual?

This process of overcoming brings out the ideal. Step by step we find the light becoming brighter, and we comprehend more clearly the mighty God, the omnipotence of good. The spiritual sense of power and assurance that comes to thought as we rest our demonstration on this eternal foundation, the only power that really exists, the divine Principle of the universe, reveals "The Prince of Peace;" and thus we realize the peace which accompanies true overcoming. In this orderly and righteous way—the way of spiritual understanding—the false concepts of God and man disappear. Surely, "the government shall be upon his shoulder" and of his kingdom "there shall be no end."

To our great joy the effects of this process of individual correction of thought overflow and find their way to other hungry hearts, so that we can sing, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." This gospel has reappeared, and its healing balm is spreading throughout the world. The reign of the Christ, Truth, so clearly revealed in Christian Science, is to-day being understood. Earth's children are awakening to the sublime fact that we are now living in eternity, and are learning that Life is unbroken, continuous, pure.

The valley of experience bringing purification still awaits us in many forms; but we need never let go our noontide vision that the glory, perfection, and continuity of all things, under the reign of the Christ, Truth, exist here and now, and are eternal.

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