The work of Christmas

One of the most hard-bitten persons I've known said surprisingly, "I love Christmas. No matter what people think about the rest of the year, on that day many are remembering Christ Jesus." One might say that Christmas works in the hearts of people, softening, subduing, promising, even though we may not always be aware of it. This glorious seasonal reminder that God loves us finds humble ways to enter our lives.

"Again loved Christmas is here," writes Mary Baker Eddy, "full of divine benedictions and crowned with the dearest memories in human history—the earthly advent and nativity of our Lord and Master." ^{The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 256 .} And elsewhere she comments, "It is most fitting that Christian Scientists memorize the nativity of Jesus." ^{Miscellaneous Writings, p. 374 .}

I've often thought of this statement in the light of the phrase "to learn by heart." When one memorizes the nativity of "our Lord and Master," it is in his heart that he knows the story. Seasonal activities may spark those memories to an ever-deepening awareness of what it means that God loves the world, and that Christianity is to reflect this love in a healing ministry.

At a time, as the Bible records, when all the world was being taxed, there was moving toward birth in Bethlehem one who was to prove a prophecy made hundreds of years before. "For unto us a child is born," Isaiah had written poetically, "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 .}

The prophesied newborn was wrapped in earthly clothes, and a bed was found for him, though not in the usual place. There was no room for him there. He who was to prove God's presence everywhere, proved it first in a manger, among the domestic animals of a Judean town. I remember being allowed to feed our animals double portions on Christmas Eve—a kind of thank-you for their ancestors' sharing their home with the newborn infant. Thus a barn becomes a place where "dearest memories" speak of God's love for all the world through all the ages.

When Christmas memories were being made, in the same country where Jesus was born, shepherds tended their sheep. They must have been familiar with Isaiah's words, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel," ^{7:14 .} and wondered in their hearts the meaning of this strange promise. They may have looked for signs of the birth of him who was to be conceived in a way so different. Even so, they were not fully prepared, for when this first Christmas message came, "they were sore afraid," Scriptures record. "And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." ^{Luke 2:9,10 .}

Some today also may find that fear is the first greeting their hearts give the deep import of this Christmas story, for it speaks of identity so separate from usual concepts, so devoid of pride, so contrary to merely material belief. It witnesses to the Christ Science where man is understood to be the very offspring of God, his Father-Mother, and to be wholly spiritual. While the Christmas message is told in the humblest of terms and literally sings, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men," ^{V. 14 .} it challenges anyone casually accepting a counterfeit peace. Christmas reminds us of the worth of each and every idea of God, and the work ahead to see this made evident universally. It reminds us of our own worth and the need to prove that worth in deeds.

We may be tempted to let our love of Christmas grow cold. But we need to be aware that lazy, not-wanting-regeneration mortal thinking hates Christmas in much the same way that Herod feared and hated the Bethlehem child. Matter's reign, like Herod's, will end, and Christian Science strikes a telling blow. We further the work of Christmas not just by decrying the busyness and the commercialism of the season, but by crying, "God loves us" and letting our lives shout the message aloud. Every chore is opportunity to prove a specific fact based on Principle's unerringness; every encounter with another a demand to see the Christ-idea. Hearts are quickened in their receptivity to the good news inherent in the Christmas message.

Whether any given moment is tainted by materialism's glee or its bah, humbug gloom, Christmas is evidence that the world is to be loved with pure and healing truth, and not condemned. "Again loved Christmas is here" is our theme. And if we lose the love of it momentarily, we can call on the memory of Jesus' nativity to tell us of the reason for its celebration.

Christmas has a mighty work to perform in our world today. Though its message sometimes seems to be unheard, the fact remains that in the days of Herod the king "Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa." ^{Matt. 2:1 .} We cannot forget the love and healing proof this brought the world.

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:
they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined....
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.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:2,7