Editorial December 25, 1978 Issue

A fuller sense of Christmas

Naomi Price

Traditionally Christmas is a special time for thinking of others. Charity appeals prosper. The festive dinner table hardly seems complete without at least one person at it who is not a member of the family. Generosity is so much associated with Christmas that people often say, "Giving is what Christmas is all about."

But, of course, giving is not what Christmas is all about, though it does have some connection if it is an indication that one is looking out beyond one's own immediate self and circle. The purpose of the Christ in coming to earth is to bring healing to all of mankind, not just to a favored few. Christ Jesus said, "I am the light of the world,"John 8:12; and he told his followers, "Preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15; Today it must be our aim to think globally—to go into all the world and preach to everyone the good news of man's sonship with God—as the Master did, thereby to heal. And Christmas can serve as an annual reminder to do this.

Mrs. Eddy writes of Christmas in a special seasonal message, "This interesting day, crowned with the history of Truth's idea, —its earthly advent and nativity,—is especially dear to the heart of Christian Scientists; to whom Christ's appearing in a fuller sense is so precious, and fraught with divine benedictions for mankind." Miscellaneous Writings, p. 320; More than a day for remembering the actual birth of one special child nearly two thousand years ago, in its fuller sense Christmas commemorates the advent on earth of the great truth this child was later to preach—the truth that God is the universal Father, the one creator of all. It reminds us of the spiritualizing and healing influence this divine idea of God exerts on the entire race throughout time and to the farthest corners of the earth. This is what makes it so significant.

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