Almost two thousand years ago, on the hills of Judea, shepherds keeping watch over their flocks heard the angelic message of "On earth peace, good will toward men," heralding the birth of "the Prince of Peace." From earliest times men have sought to attain peace in various ways, but not until the coming of Jesus did they know how to attain this much desired state.

As we study the word "peace" we find that it is used over four hundred times in the Scriptures. Various root words with slight variations and derivations have been translated as peace. It is interesting to note that the word most frequently translated in the New Testament is ειρήνη, implying to set at-one again.

To set at-one again or to prove man's at-one-ment with his Father-Mother God was the purpose of Jesus' earthly career. When he gave the Beatitudes, he was setting at-one again or showing man's inseparability from God. The student of Christian Science sees in the Beatitudes blessings manifold. He sees in them the promises of blessing to him who overcomes false sense-testimony. "Blessed are the peacemakers" is one of the beautiful promises contained in the Beatitudes. Indeed, he who lives the spirit of the other Beatitudes must be at peace. Many would reach the heights of peace, but not all are willing to travel the rugged way of overcoming which leads to the summit. Paul says in his epistle to the Romans, "To be spiritually minded is life and peace."

For many centuries the way leading to life and peace as taught by Christ Jesus seemed lost to humanity, whom he came to save. For about three centuries after the advent of the Master his teachings were followed, until materiality crept into the early Christian church. Then the light of truth became so obscured by the darkness of creed, dogma, false belief, and ritual that the world again seemed almost without hope. Once more it almost seemed as if "darkness was upon the face of the deep." But, ultimately, above the darkness began to shine "one lone, brave star" (Christ and Christmas, by Mary Baker Eddy), lighting the consciousness of a brave woman, Mrs. Eddy, who had the courage of her convictions. She followed the radiance of its beams, being led to search the Scriptures, where she made the discovery of the divine laws of healing which, later, she gave to the world as Christian Science.

Always a devout Christian woman and student of the Bible, convinced that healing could be accomplished through a higher understanding of the laws of God, Mary Baker Eddy first healed herself of what her physician pronounced an incurable condition. Through study of the Bible she realized that God is ever present and omniactive, that the God-idea or Christ is coexistent with the Father. Her spiritual sense heard the angelic voices proclaiming the birth of the new-old idea to human consciousness.

The master Christian, Christ Jesus, recognized his divine sonship and the one Father, which his virgin mother had perceived. In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says (p. 332), "Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness." Even as the shepherds of old heard the seraphic choir singing "On earth peace, good will toward men," so may the consciousness of all mankind respond to the higher meaning of that gracious, divine message.

There must be peace in individual consciousness before it can become universal. To set at-one again or to be at-one with God is accomplished in proportion to our spiritual understanding, which comes through grasping the truth about man in God's likeness.

One who is sick may seek the help of a Christian Science practitioner. The practitioner, however, looks away from the false testimony of a sick body, and denies the mortal mind evidence of disease, discord, and inharmony. The thought of the metaphysician turns to God with a sense of love, joy, and gratitude that he knows God to be the one Father-Mother, the one ever present Mind, who gives only good to His children. The patient learns that as a son of God he inherits all good now, and that sickness is not of God, hence is not good. He begins to accept his heritage of perfection, his fears being destroyed by the new understanding. His bonds are broken; and he stands forth in a new freedom, with a true sense of spiritual joy and peace such as he has never known before.

It may be that one has battled long with sin, that he has tried in vain through self-will to overcome some sinful habit or false appetite. Then he turns his thought to Christian Science and learns something of the pure, sinless man of God's creating. Learning that God is omnipotent—all-power—he resists evil with new courage, seeing its nothingness. Strength is his by divine right, and as he becomes conscious of its might he overthrows "the plea of mortal mind." (See Science and Health 390:32–6.) He also begins to realize a sense of peace.

Is someone suffering from the belief which has so largely mesmerized the world, that of depression and financial loss? First of all let him lift his heart in joy and gratitude to God, who is omniactive as well as omniscient. He is the son of the one infinite God. The son, by reflection, is the perfect likeness of the Father. As the son he inherits all good now. The Father knows no lack of supply. God is Love; and Love cannot withhold, for its very nature is to give and bless. From the beginning God gave man dominion over all the earth. As the individual begins to see and exercise his God-given dominion through unselfishness, loving-kindness, gentleness, and gratitude, his fear of lack is overcome. He sees the nothingness of the fear that would make him jealous or envious. He has less fear and more love in his heart for his brother man. He is willing and ready to cooperate with him, thus bringing out the unity of God's ideas.

As in meekness and humility the student of Christian Science sees the nothingness of mortal selfhood and its fleshly fears and desires, he begins to reverse mortal mind laws and what the physical senses would have him believe. He also understands that all that is true of his real selfhood is true of that of his brother man. When such holy thoughts are entertained in the consciousness of the student of Christian Science, they go forth and bless mankind, and new thoughts of peace and joy are felt by him. He has begun to recognize the presence and allness of God. A greater love than he has ever known before fills his heart, carrying with it a healing message.

"Through the wholesome chastisements of Love, we are helped onward in the march towards righteousness, peace, and purity, which are the landmarks of Science," writes our Leader on page 323 of Science and Health. As we march in the straight and narrow way toward our landmarks, we shall more and more frequently hear and join our voices with the angelic host in the rhythmic song, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."