As the holiday season approaches, it is a privilege to explain to children the spiritual significance of Christmas. They delight in the story of the shepherds in the field, watching over their flocks by night, when "the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them" (Luke 2:9). Many of the imaginative ones may feel as if they were with the Wisemen following the star, finding the babe in the manger (Matt. 2). All naturally love the babe Jesus and seem to understand intuitively that he was the child of promise destined to bring the healing Christ to the world.

Even tiny tots can be told how the people loved Jesus, flocking to be near him to be healed; how he brought blessings wherever he went; how he loved his disciples and little children; how he taught his followers to heal as he did; and how we can heal today by praying to God as Jesus prayed.

Let us watch that our preparations for human festivities and gift-giving do not crowd out the precious peace and love of the true spirit of Christmas. In each home it may be asked: Are the children learning more unselfishness and Christlikeness, or is there a rushed, excited series of vacation days with selfishness marring the unfoldment of good? Are the children being reminded when they pray to know that the Christ-love can feed the hungry and care for the homeless in every land? Are the children thinking of doing kind deeds for others, remembering some outside their immediate circle, whether young or old, who may be in need? Or are they concentrating on their own fun, entirely concerned with the things they hope to receive?

Mary Baker Eddy had a clear sense of the spiritual meaning of Christmas. She also had an understanding love for little children, and has given us an article entitled "Christmas for the Children" on page 261 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany."

Here the question is asked, "How shall we cheer the children's Christmas and profit them withal?" To which she replies: "The wisdom of their elders, who seek wisdom of God, seems to have amply provided for this, according to the custom of the age and to the full supply of juvenile joy. Let it continue thus with one exception: the children should not be taught to believe that Santa Claus has aught to do with this pastime. A deceit or falsehood is never wise."

Here we may stop to ask, Are our children believing in the Santa Claus legend, or do they know it is just a fairy story which may be thought of as typifying the spirit of giving? If parents or guardians hesitate to tell even very small children the truth about Santa Claus, may they remember that, at best, children puzzle over the inconsistencies of the story.

If the children of Christian Scientists know the truth about Santa Claus, it would be loving to caution them not to talk about this to children whose parents do not think the same way.

When the spiritual meaning of Christmas is given first consideration, the human activities will be normal and harmonious. The Christmas season is a time of great joy, often expressed in carol singing. Two of the more familiar carols are included in our Christian Science Hymnal (Nos. 158 and 222). Other hymns which are appropriate for Christmas may be listed conveniently on the flyleaf of one's Hymnal. There is Mrs. Eddy's well-loved hymn entitled "Christmas Morn" (No. 23); and there are also several others that have a special Christmas message (Nos. 9, 11, 164, 170, 236, 310, 362, and 368).

Another way of bringing thoughts of beauty and spiritual value to the older children of the family is to have available a list of Mrs. Eddy's remarks about Christmas given in her Prose Works and Poems. (Such passages may be found in "Miscellaneous Writings," pp. 159, 161, 320, 369, and Miscellany, p. 122: 16, pp. 256–263; also in the illustrated poem, "Christ and Christmas," and the article referring to it in "Miscellaneous Writings," p. 371). Often great good unfolds from reading these passages aloud together.

In the article already referred to, "Christmas for the Children," Mrs. Eddy continues: "Too much cannot be done towards guarding and guiding well the germinating and inclining thought of childhood. To mould aright the first impressions of innocence, aids in perpetuating purity and in unfolding the immortal model, man in His image and likeness."

So may we with renewed inspiration approach the Christmas season. It is a time for all, the children included, to reappreciate the Christ, the true idea of God and man; to thank God for the coming of Jesus and his demonstrating of the ever-presence of the Christ, Truth, which, when received and understood by all, will truly bring peace on earth. It is a time to be grateful to Mrs. Eddy, who has shown each of us how he can prove that the Christ is with us each day; to be grateful for the Church of Christ, Scientist, which she founded, and which is bringing an understanding of this healing truth to all men. It is a time to pray that the Christ, Truth, be allowed entrance to every human heart, ruling out hatreds and false fears and letting in enduring Love.

Human festivities and fun surely have their place in the experience of children, but the recognition of God and His Christ will aid in ushering in universal joy, peace, and harmony among those of all ages, honor our great Way-shower, and help to celebrate Christmas aright.