"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever" (Isa. 9:6, 7). In words which glow with the beauty and grandeur of spiritual illumination, Isaiah thus prophesied the appearing of the Saviour.

The New Testament records are replete with spiritual fruitage resulting from the Christ-power manifested by Jesus of Nazareth. It is related that Jesus' disciples, previous to their departure on a healing mission, were counseled by their Master as follows (Luke 10: 5, 6): "Into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again."

Upon returning to their Master, the disciples exclaimed in exuberance of joy, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name." When the name (nature or character) of the Christ, Truth, is allowed to fill consciousness, the devils or evils of wrong thinking are always cast out, and health and peace are restored as the rightful heritage of man.

Jesus, the master Metaphysician, came to rebuke and destroy the devils of evil thinking, which masquerade as realities in the realm of mortal mind, causing disease in the body and discord among brethren. Through his pure consecration to God, good, Jesus poured out the oil and wine, the consecration and inspiration, of spiritual healing. He calmed the troubled waters of mortal experience in every heart willing to welcome in the Christ-idea. He brought to mankind a sense of peace and joy hitherto unknown.

The Master knew that the only war to be waged is on the battleground of individual thought. There every unlovely belief must be rebuked and cast out in order to make room for Godlike thinking. Jesus recognized that the individual must first establish a sense of God-bestowed peace within his own consciousness before he can be truly at peace with his neighbor. Peace is not a passive quality but a very active one.

On page 583 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy defines "Christ" as "the divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error." Christ is the divine power and presence appearing to human consciousness in a way which may be understood. It is the still small voice of God speaking to mankind throughout the ages with healing and awakening effect. As one's desire to listen more diligently for this voice grows stronger, as one is ready to relinquish stubborn human will and to yield lovingly to the divine, the ability to hear God's message is perfected.

At one time a student of Christian Science felt the persuasive animus of the Christ in establishing a sense of spiritual peace in her home. At a moment when thought was unguarded, this young woman was drawn into an argument with a member of her family, which threatened to disrupt the harmony of the home. She quickly realized, however, that she was consenting to a lie of discord and dissension.

Knowing that her actions were not in accordance with the teachings of Christian Science, she felt impelled to withdraw to the privacy of her room and seek the wise counsel of her textbooks, the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings. Praying earnestly to be shown some sustaining truth which would destroy the false evidence of friction and discord, she picked up her well-loved Bible. Letting its pages fall open, her gaze rested upon Jesus' words which were quoted in a foregoing paragraph, "Peace be to this house."

It seemed to her that these words stood out in bold relief as though illumined by a strong light. Pondering the precious import of this message, she felt as though she had been released from a great burden. An indescribable sense of peace and joy filled her consciousness. Upon rejoining the member of her family with whom she had been at variance, she rejoiced to see the reflection of her own smile mirrored in the other's face. Loving words were exchanged, clearly evidencing the presence of the impersonal Christ with its power to dispel all sense of bitterness and controversy. It was apparent that a power higher than one's own had taken command of the situation. Thereafter when various problems arose, this other member of her family was apt to remind the student to seek the counsel of her textbooks.

In the untangling of discordant human relationships the guidance of the promised "Counsellor" is far more efficacious than mere legal advice or biased human opinion. When it is realized with some degree of spiritual understanding that "the government shall be upon his shoulder," judgment and justice are established in Love's own way according to the unchanging law of divine Principle. Actually, the discords of contending individuals and wars of belligerent nations are wholly unknown to God, infinite Mind. His ideas, being spiritual and perfect, are intelligently working out the purposes of good only, forever under the control of divine wisdom. And these ideas are always in harmonious relation to each other.

Thus it is seen that the Christ comes to the human consciousness to heal it. If our thinking seems momentarily off balance, the understanding of the presence of Christ restores a rightful sense of peace, poise, and serenity. What-ever the problem, the Christ-idea is always available. This divine presence appears as wonderful, and yet entirely natural and normal when we cherish it and demonstrate it as a vital part of daily experience.

Our Leader says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 152), "Of this we may be sure: that thoughts winged with peace and love breathe a silent benediction over all the earth, cooperate with the divine power, and brood unconsciously o'er the work of His hand."