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.

The advent of the babe, Jesus, was heralded to the alert shepherds of Bethlehem by angelic song—"a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." This joyous song has never been silenced, even though its portent has been missed in the confusion of theological theories and material beliefs. Due to the discovery and demonstration of Christian Science, this angelic song is heard more clearly and its inspiring and liberating influence is felt more widely in most practical ways. Through the Science of Christianity it is being proved that the Christ is present and available to bring peace to those who are distracted and discouraged, to bring healing and comfort to those who are sick and sorrowful, and to glorify God in the overcoming of sinful habits and tendencies.

At the time of Jesus' birth only those who were awake, and who were looking for something other than the merely material, heard the heralding song and beheld the guiding star of Bethlehem. Today those who are shepherding their thoughts—protecting and directing them—even when the conditions seem dark and dreary, will be cheered by the angelic annunciation of Christ, Truth, and will be led by the reflected light of Christian Science into the radiance of divine reality. As the shepherds and Wisemen put forth immediate efforts to follow the angelic guidance even in the darkness of night, so he who would find the Christ today must be awake, alert, active, and obedient to divine directing. Then he will learn the meaning of Christmas, for he will touch the hem of the garment of Christ by gaining some measure of spiritual understanding.

The applied understanding of "God's great gift,—His spiritual idea, man and the universe," dispels the gloom of material beliefs and exposes the nothingness of the disturbing ghosts which haunt mankind—the specters of sickness and sin, limitation and inability, discord and death. This was the great work accomplished by Jesus through his apprehension and demonstration of the Christ, whereby he glorified God and brought peace on earth. Surely, this is the true meaning of Christmas, and those who see and appreciate it joyously echo "Paul's words, "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

W. Stuart Booth

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