Editorial December 22, 1934 Issue

The Meaning of Christmas

W. Stuart Booth

People of many countries have national heroes and heroines whose birth and deeds are remembered and suitably celebrated with considerable national and local pride. The birth of Jesus, however, is commemorated not alone in Palestine, but throughout the civilized world wherever the influence of his teaching has been felt. It is of profound significance that the life and work of the meek and noble Nazarene dated a new era and started a new calendar. Although human thought does not yet fully appreciate the good which has come into the lives of men through Christ Jesus, still at this time a paean of praise and thanksgiving to God encircles the globe in commemoration of the birth of Jesus.

To some, Christmas may mean merely a time of giving and receiving gifts and of merrymaking, while to others it may seem to be a season of sadness because their personal conditions preclude such a material celebration. Both those who give gifts and those who are unable to do so will gain clarification of thought and find the way to real happiness as they learn the true meaning of Christmas, stated by Mrs. Eddy in an article which was written for an American magazine, and which is preserved in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany." Therein we read (p. 262), "Christmas to me is the reminder of God's great gift,—His spiritual idea, man and the universe,—a gift which so transcends mortal, material, sensual giving that the merriment, mad ambition, rivalry, and ritual of our common Christmas seem a human mockery in mimicry of the real worship in commemoration of Christ's coming."

Although Christian Science distinguishes between the human Jesus and the Christ, the full expression of divine Mind, this does not in the least detract from the glory and honor due the Master. Quite the contrary, the scientific and satisfying teaching of Christian Science on this subject, dispelling the veil of mysticism which human ignorance has woven around Jesus, reveals him, his words and works, his message and mission, in such a clear light that we see him as the Way-shower, whom we can follow in very fact. The Master discerned the Christ so clearly, declared the Christ so convincingly, and demonstrated the Christ so conclusively that he earned the heaven-bestowed title of Christ Jesus. He became the Saviour of the world by directing men how to save themselves from error through knowing and applying the truth about God and man.

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