Article December 19, 1942 Issue

"An eternal Christmas"

ROSE L. KEMPTHORNE

Of all holidays, undoubtedly Christmas is the most universally beloved by Christendom, although probably a large percentage of those celebrating this day fail to dwell on what it signifies in commemorating the nativity of Jesus in an obscure town in Judea. For centuries the advent of the Messiah had been foretold, yet only the simple shepherds heard the angelic message announcing the birth of Jesus, who heralded the coming of Christ, Truth.

Matthew records that when Herod, the king, fearing for his temporal power, plotted to kill the young child, Joseph was divinely instructed to flee with the babe and its mother into Egypt. The Wisemen from the East who had been directed by the star had "presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." It was fitting and beautiful for them thus to do homage on such a momentous occasion, and perhaps from this incident grew the custom of Christmas gift giving. Indeed, what could better commemorate the greatest gift that humanity has ever received than unselfish, love-inspired giving!

But the question must be asked, Does the customary Christmas celebration, much of which is frivolous, wasteful, competitive, and commercially inspired, testify to the coming of the Christ to human consciousness? Does it tend to spiritualize or permanently benefit those individuals belabored with undue giving of gifts? On the contrary, is there not sometimes evident the spirit of selfishness, jealousy, strife, which actuated the materialistic Herod? On this subject of Christmas observance Mary Baker Eddy has written in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (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 ourcommon Christmas seem a human mockery in mimicry of the real worship in commemoration of Christ's coming." However, she saw in the prevailing custom of commemorating Christmas an opportunity to cheer the children and profit them, if such giving is prompted by love and wisdom. (See Miscellany, p. 261.)

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