The Bible Speaks to You December 30, 1967 Issue

[The above is an abbreviated, postproduction text of the program released for broadcast the week of December 22—28 in the radio series, "The Bible Speaks to You." Heard internationally over more than 1,000 stations, the weekly programs are prepared and produced by the Christian Science Committee on Publication, 107 Falmouth Street, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A. 02115.]

RADIO PROGRAM NO. 299 - Making Time for Christmas

Questioner: Have you ever stood back watching the crowds rushing around this time of year and wondered how many people are giving any thought to the real meaning of Christmas? Many complain they're so busy getting ready for the holiday activities that they just don't give much consideration to what the season means. They just don't take the time to get into the deeper meaning of Christmas.
Speaker: I think that's often the case.
Questioner: People, in effect, are pushing God to one side. They are not thinking, really, of God or of Christ. They're thinking of the festivities.
Speaker: Well, it's right to be happy and to give gifts. But we have to make time in our hearts for the unselfish, Christlike love that comes to us from God, the love the Master expressed and lived.

Jesus was motivated by his Christliness. He took time to care for widows and children. He took time to talk to the miserable and the lonely, to give unselfishly and untiringly of his understanding of God and man, to heal another even when he was on his way to heal a dying little girl.
Questioner: But in the midst of the holiday tradition and festivities, there just seems so much to do.
Speaker: Yes, but after we've done it all, what lasting value is there in what we have done? By the way, what was the most memorable Christmas you ever had?

Questioner: Well, perhaps one of the more memorable was in England when I was in the service. I was invited to a small farmhouse outside the port of Southampton to be part of a family for the entire Christmas holiday. It was a rather poor farmhouse. And yet I think there was more fun there, more true Christmas spirit and enjoyment in giving oneself rather than gifts, than during almost any other Christmas I've ever had.
Speaker: The Master said (John 13:35), "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Now, isn't that just what the family did when they invited you to their home? They were living the Christmas message. It had a deeper meaning than just the giving of gifts. And it met your need. Here's the true basis of Christmas —expressing Christlike love to one another. Now, through the Christ, the divine manifestation of God, divinity embraces humanity and supplies the human need.
Questioner: At the time I probably wasn't conscious that I needed this sort of thing. However, I know I came away from that Christmas holiday with a very warm, happy feeling.
Speaker: Wasn't it because of the Christlike love the family expressed toward you? The power of God comes to every one of us. If we'll just let it into consciousness and live it, we can have Christmas all the time.