If the glad expectancy that hallows the Christmas season prevailed throughout the year, the promise of the heavenly host (Luke 2:14), "On earth peace, good will toward men," would become a glowing fact. However, bewilderment and a misguided desire for good sometimes turn the longing heart away from the Bethlehem story to a trust in human systems and material possessions for happiness. Ignorance and ponderous materiality would make of Christmas merely a holiday, instead of a model day in which to claim the ever-present healing activity of the Christ.

Defining the eternal nature of Christ and Christmas, Mary Baker Eddy writes in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (pp. 259, 260): "Christmas respects the Christ too much to submerge itself in merely temporary means and ends. It represents the eternal informing Soul recognized only in harmony, in the beauty and bounty of Life everlasting,—in the truth that is Life, the Life that heals and saves mankind."

The mission of Christ Jesus was not wasted on a prodigal world in the eyes of those who understand that "the eternal informing Soul" means God's everyday healing presence manifested in right ideas in the individual consciousness and awakening mankind to spiritual good. This is the nativity of spiritual sense, the Christ, Truth, which continually springs up in human thought in order to correct the false and reveal the true.

Indicating that he had no monopoly on the spiritual sense of Soul, God, and that divine Life's healing energies should not be looked for in some past or future event, Jesus told those who came to him (Luke 17:20, 21), "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

Rightly applied the year round, a spiritual understanding of Christmas would diminish and destroy the troubles of the world. Problems have no solution and Christmas no real meaning in the material observance of custom, persons, times, and places.

The kingdom of heaven, or harmonious life, will be found not in theories or speculation concerning God and man, but in the actual welling up and recognition of spiritual ideas in one's own consciousness. The guiding star of Christian Science leads to this appearance of the Christ in thought, which can be recognized and utilized in some degree by all who sincerely seek Truth.

Not by observation, but by the inspiration of "the eternal informing Soul," are brought to light the uses and true meaning of the first Christmas, which blends its beautiful message with today's commemoration of Christ Jesus' birth. Observation may imply waiting for something to happen over which mankind has no control. Observation may think or theorize about perfection, but inspiration lives it.

The writer once searched diligently in history and philosophy for answers to his deeply serious questions concerning himself and God. From these studies and the observation of life around him he began to doubt the existence of God and to believe that oblivion was the solution to all things. Confused, frustrated, unhappy, he eventually was enslaved by the alcoholic habit.

One night, while alone and in the grip of despair brought on by drink, he realized that he was trapped by the vicious habit. He felt that death was not far off. Caught between acute suffering and a longing for intelligent reasons for all things, he struck out from the depths and cried urgently for divine help.

There was in the house a Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mrs. Eddy, borrowed from a nearby Christian Science Reading Room only a few days before. The writer had cynically tried to read a passage here and there in the book, but had finally cast it aside as useless to him.

Now, in his dire need, he was led to pick up the book again. With deep humility he began to read the chapter on Prayer, and as he read he felt a stir throughout his being. First, a tremulous hope appeared; then came the exultant assurance that he stood on the threshold of divine reality, where all things become new. He was beginning to recognize the harmony of "the eternal informing Soul" which Christmas represents.

Christian Science, the divine system for the regeneration of mankind, began to unfold for him with increasing light and loss of fear. He perceived the powerlessness of drink and saw that, as the image of God, man could not be tempted with evil. Both the drinking and the smoking habit left him forever. He was free, and he knew it.

Later, as the writer grew stronger in the knowledge of the Christ and of true cause and effect, he found the answers to his many questions in the Bible and Science and Health. The entire course of his life was changed to a new era of health, happiness, and progress.

The rising light of spiritual ideas celebrates Christmas in human thought, and these ideas ripen into a fuller understanding of God and man. Such a Christmas spirit is for every day and all situations. To make today resonant with Soul's original angelic theme, each one must reverse the erroneous claims of mortal mind by substituting the spiritual opposite, or truth.

The love and power which attended the birth and life of the Master can, in these times, destroy or prevent the illness, the loneliness, or the revelry and commercialism which so often dominate the Christmas holiday scene. The Christ is eternally present, and harmonious human activity is determined by how much of Christ, Truth, one is willing to accept and bring to his affairs.

The home which at Christmas time is burdened with illness or other inharmony can be immeasurably helped by the determined effort of just one member of the household to let Soul light the day. The deep desire for goodness, the humble hope, the persistent kindness, are effective prayers and can lead to great joy.

Christly joy is the proof that Soul is active in man. Joy is real; depression is unreal and so has no power to exist or to control any situation, since God has given neither intelligence nor law to that which is unreal. Cheerfulness, patience, and love are needed the more where gloom seems to prevail. The good cheer which comes from knowing that God, good, is All, shines through the human scene with power, activity, dominion.

Christmas serves to remind us of this true sense of joy. It is equally important during the holiday festivities to maintain the keen edge of spiritual sensibility against the round of material celebration which invites mental dullness and weariness. Frequently and silently rising to the light and joy of Soul, it will be found that the good in the human realm is not lost, but rather enriched.

What a gift from our all-loving Father-Mother God is this sweet, secret nativity of Christ, this springing up of the light of divine Life in human consciousness, casting out false thinking and quickening the dormant understanding. Infinite Life is not confined to a person or a season. Soul is not to be found in tradition or celebration.

Peace on earth and universal love among men were not mere words lending atmosphere to the birth of Christ Jesus. These words announced the mission of the Master, who proved that the kingdom of heaven—all good—is ever present. The understanding of this truth waits not upon the past, the future, or a time like the Christmas holiday-season, but is now and forever available to all.