Article December 19, 1977 Issue

A Happy Christmas

JEANNE STEELY LAITNER

In Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, Scrooge's nephew commented about the Christmas in these words: "But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round—apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that—as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time . . . ."

Dickens's words indicate something of the dual nature of Christmastime. The primary meaning of Christmas is, of course, a spiritual one. Mankind's great need is to observe Christmas with inner, quiet prayer, with a sincere desire to understand more of the infinite meanings of this holy season. However, there is another aspect of Christmas—the need for this season to be a happy and loving human occasion.

In its spiritual significance Christmas points to Christ. It commemorates the birth of Jesus, who taught and proved man's sonship with God. Christ Jesus revealed the great healing potential of understanding man's true, Christly nature as the spiritual image of God. Isaiah had prophesied the appearing of the Christ in these words: "For 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."^{Isa. 9:6;}

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