Article January 6, 1934 Issue

Happy New Year!

MARGARET H. ANDERSON

The Gregorian calendar, reckoned and computed from the time of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, marks the first day of January as the beginning of each new year. But whatever its date on a civil or religious calendar, New Year's Day, generally speaking, is recognized as an opportunity for fresh and better beginnings, for friendly reunions and renewals, sometimes associated with gift-giving. At such times there wells up in the heart a spontaneous desire for the unfoldment of good in the lives of others. In these clearer glimpses of fellowship old scores, enmities, and animosities are often forgotten, and friendly relationships restored. Thus all around there is expressed the kindly and genuine wish for a happy New Year.

Sooner or later, however, many people come to the conclusion that mortal existence is a medley of good and evil, pleasure and pain, and that the joys of this material sense of life are transitory and evanescent, subject at all times to the vagaries of chance and change. Thus, to some, each recurring New Year's Day may seem to bring saddening memories, disappointment, and a temptation to indulge in self-pity.

What a glad message of freedom has been brought to humanity in the discovery and exposition of Christian Science! This great truth is indeed the Comforter promised by Christ Jesus, "the Spirit of truth" which he said should guide all mankind "into all truth." To the consciousness of Jesus his unity with God was an ever present reality. As recorded in the Gospel of John, the Master's words, uttered towards the close of his earthly experience, in that last sacred meeting with his immediate disciples, indicate how he yearned to help them, and all mankind, into the understanding of the fullness and permanence of joy, which is the heritage of every child of God. "These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."

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