Editorial December 22, 1945 Issue

No Unhappy Christmastide!

John Randall Dunn

To the human sense of things, anniversaries may prove to be times of joy or moments of sadness, times for a resurgence of glad memories or occasions when old wounds seem to be reopened. Often one hears such statements as, "How I dread these anniversaries!" Dwelling perhaps on bitter experiences of bygone years, some mortals look upon the celebration of Christmas as a mockery. At this Christmastide the human family presents, possibly as never before, pictures of joyous reunion in one instance and stark tragedy in another; nations triumphant in war or bitter in defeat; families grateful for material well-being, and others facing the bogey of lack and unemployment. Small wonder, therefore, that the recurring anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Peace is greeted with mixed emotions. Some persons may even aver that one this year should not be promiscuous in his wishes for a happy Christmas, lest some saddened hearts be made sadder.

But what says the Science of Christianity to this? In her book, "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 260), Mary Baker Eddy writes: "In Christian Science, Christmas stands for the real, the absolute and eternal,—for the things of Spirit, not of matter." Then a little farther on she continues: "The basis of Christmas is love loving its enemies, returning good for evil, love that 'suffereth long, and kind.' The true spirit of Christmas elevates medicine to Mind; it casts out evils, heals the sick, raises the dormant faculties, appeals to all conditions, and supplies every need of man."

Did ever mankind so need this spiritual concept of Christmas as at this hour of turning and overturning? Would there have been a need for the coming of the saving Christ, Truth, had mortals known the way out of the complex problems of human existence? Is not the name "Jesus" the Greek form of Joshua, or Saviour? Therefore, at moments of individual or national calamity, is not a true spiritual celebration of Christmas humanity's greatest need? Today the student of Christian Science not only sends forth cheerily his wishes for a happy Christmas, but when invited, can tell friend and neighbor how to have one. Does a reader of these lines face a difficult Yuletide this year? Let him open his thought to receive the beautiful Christmas gift which Christian Science has for those who are weary and heavy laden. And may these words be addressed to him.

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