Article December 23, 1996 Issue

Hallelujah!

Ned Garnhart

In a literal and historical sense, Christmas appears to be the celebration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, about two thousand years ago in the Middle East. But the teachings of this man, whom Christians regard as the only begotten Son of God, revealed a more accurate view of God and man, and lifted humanity out of centuries-old, nearsighted beliefs about origins, purposes, and destinies. Christ Jesus taught that God is Love, and all good. Through his own life he proved that God's works could be made manifest in the healing of sickness and destroying of sin.

Jesus did not accept limitations. He saw man—God's spiritual reflection, the true identity of everyone—as totally fortified by God with supply, health, protection, justice, and any other essential assets. Often he saw these blessings so clearly that problems were instantly cleared up in healings that have since been labeled as "miracles."

The significance of the Christmas message reached me and sustained me through a very difficult time during my college years. My dad had been ill for a long time. I had stayed home from college for a month or so, helping to care for him. The normal joy of the season seemed dim and could have been totally eclipsed by my father's passing on Christmas Day. Could have been—but wasn't.

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