Article December 24, 1955 ISSUE

THE GIFT ETERNAL

VIVA L. BESSE

"Christmas Gift" is a phrase heard and seen many times during the month of December in private and public places throughout the Christian world. To many, it brings thoughts of childhood happiness, loving home ties, and the like. To others, it brings thoughts of sadness for lost opportunities and of separation from loved ones who have gone on or who are on distant shores.

Generally speaking, however, the phrase "Christmas gift" stirs one to a desire to express more of love, charitableness, kindness, and consideration for his fellow men. This is well. Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, says in "Miscellaneous Writings (p. 127), "Wise sayings and garrulous talk may fall to the ground, rather than on the ear or heart of the hearer; but a tender sentiment felt, or a kind word spoken, at the right moment, is never wasted." She adds in the same paragraph, "The human heart, like a feather bed. needs often to be stirred, sometimes roughly, and given a variety of turns, else it grows hard and uncomfortable whereon to repose."

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