When the angel of the Lord appeared to the shepherds at that memorable time when the Saviour of mankind was born in Bethlehem of Judea, they were told: "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." With the angel came "a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Such was the message of the Christ, Truth; and so it will ever come to inspire and gladden the heart of mankind.

In the character and works of our great Master the evidence of God's loving presence and power in healing the sick, comforting the sorrowing, uplifting the fallen, saving the sinning, and raising the dead bore unmistakable proof that Jesus fulfilled the mission which the angel announced at his birth. These works were not of human origin, and brought no personal glory to Jesus. It was God alone, His presence, the reality of Life, Truth, and Love, which were acknowledged and glorified. Hence our Master's healing ministry was fruitful, and multitudes were blessed.

The human heart was sorely in need of comfort in those days: unrest, want, woe, sin, sickness, and fear beset mankind as in our time. Surely humanity needed a Saviour, one who might bring lasting peace to troubled hearts. What would still the tempest of mortal thought, uplift and strengthen, enlighten and purify? Not mere theories, opinions, dogmas, creeds, codes, or human philosophy. There was an abundance of such, but not one of them could heal the sick, save the sinner, or bring harmony out of discord. Nothing save the holy influence of the truth as taught and demonstrated by the lowly Nazarene, the truth of God and His good creation, man and the universe, could dispel the darkness of ignorance, superstition, and fear. When the multitudes througed to hear the word spoken by the Master, as he taught them of the loving Father, "my Father, and your Father," they gladly listened, and were healed of their infirmities. Who would not listen to such a message to-day, if distressed and distraught by doubts and fears due to the belief that man is material and separated from God, his divine origin? What inexpressible joy it is to learn that this is not true, but that, on the contrary, man is God's beloved child, even His own likeness, spiritual and eternal, as the Scriptures declare and maintain! This, then, is the Christmessage; and now, as of old, angels of God, spiritual thoughts, come to the heavy-laden with healing in their wings, assuring them of the ever-presence of God, the peace of Love, "good will toward men."

Christian Science is the message of the Christ, even the truth that Christ Jesus, the Way-shower of mankind, brought to the world centuries ago. It is exact Science, to be understood and practiced, as its Discoverer and Founder, Mary Baker Eddy, has presented it, in order that mankind may be redeemed from sin, sickness, and death. Not until Mrs. Eddy had experienced a healing from the results of what physicians pronounced a fatal accident, by turning to her Bible for guidance and relying wholly upon God, and by subsequently searching the Scriptures prayerfully, for three years, under divine guidance, did the knowledge of Truth as perfect Science dawn upon her consciousness. After thoroughly testing its efficacy in the healing of all manner of disease and discord, she gave it to the world through the precious volume, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," the textbook of Christian Science now available to sincere seekers for Truth. Throughout its pages the true understanding of God and man is set forth in a clear and convincing manner, and exalted peace is found through the spiritual apprehension of the sublime truths with which the book abounds. Those who, weary of the world's allurements and the turmoil arising from a mistaken sense of existence, turn with open heart to an earnest study and contemplation of this divine revelation, are led into "green pastures" and beside "still waters." They find new hope and faith in good, increasing confidence and joy in living, a certain sense of God's abiding presence and power, and gain increasing love for their fellow men, their brethren. In comforting words on page 264 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy writes, "Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love."

Where would strife be found were each one, knowing himself and his neighbor to be children of God, to say in his heart, "Peace be unto you"? These were the words of our blessed Master to the disciples when he appeared to them after his resurrection. This is the eternal message of the Christ to every heart. How can the children of men be at strife when their real, divine inheritance is peace? Individually and collectively all belong to divine Love, all have their origin in the one Mind, God, and have in reality no other Mind. There is no real foundation for disagreement between individuals or among nations. And since Christ, Truth, can still the sense of discord in the individual heart, there is the certainty of enduring peace among peoples and nations. Even as one may say to his brother, "Peace be unto you," so may each nation say to its neighbor, Let us be at peace. Who will deny that the time is at hand for such a step? Enlightened thought is weary of war, and it is only the voice of the serpent which would tempt us to believe that the world is not ready for peace. Suspicion, envy, hatred, and revenge have had their dark hours, and the Christ-message is finding a response in the hearts of men as never before. God is the Father of all, and no dividing line may be drawn between the true recognition of our rights as His children and those of other races or languages.

We cannot think or act justly from the standpoint of human beliefs or opinions. In order to insure peace within our borders, and to forestall that which would intrude from without, we must have something more stable than selfish, limited interests. Unless it be divinely inspired and controlled, human wisdom is not adequate to apprehend and grapple with great national and international questions. But as divine guidance is sought and practiced, no disposition to raise a hand against a neighboring people can prevail against friendliness. It is no more impossible or impractical for large groups, institutions, or nations than it is for individuals to share with each other those blessings which mutual progress and development have brought, however idealistic it may seem. The bonds of good will and understanding are immeasurably strengthened when, through some untoward condition, such as earthquake, flood, or disaster of some nature, neighboring countries extend a helping hand to the afflicted one. The foundation of peace cannot be abandoned or lost sight of by reason of some condition brought about by misunderstanding or intrigue. To-day peoples and nations having a common bond of interest can pursue a righteous determination to reach an understanding on all vexed questions, an understanding which tends toward true progress. Though the causes for disagreement and contention may appear at the moment to be real and important, they will be forgotten a the great cause of peace, undimmed and undeclining, lives on in the hearts of men.

So, each one may say to his neighbor, his brother, of whatever race or creed, "Peace be unto you." Thus he honors the one God in heaven and on earth, the Father and Mother of all, who loves, blesses, and endows each one of His children with wisdom, health, and happiness. In his second beautiful letter to the Corinthians the Apostle Paul, from a heart overflowing with love for God and man, thus exhorts all Christians, all who love good: "Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

Copyright, 1932, by The Christian Science Publishing Society, Falmouth and St. Paul Streets, Boston, Massachusetts. Entered at Boston post office as second-class matter. Acceptance for mailing at a special rate of postage provided for in section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on July 11, 1918.