UPFRONT December 22, 2008 Issue

GLADNESS AND THE ROYAL WAY

JENNY ROEMER, STAFF EDITOR

The Christian Science Sentinel was founded in 1898 by Mary Baker Eddy, and its mission remains the same: "to hold guard over Truth, Life, and Love." The Sentinel continues to report on the unlimited ways that the healing power and presence of the Christ activates, uplifts, and transforms the lives of everyday people around the world.

No matter how much we've faced as a global family over the past year, the intensity of our own challenges or victories is, at least briefly, overshadowed by the amazing story of Jesus' birth. This event heralded the message of the Christ for the whole world. And this is truly a cause for celebration and for gladness.

When the Sentinel staff was considering this issue, a hymn from the Christian Science Hymnal came to thought. This line from the first verse brought to mind a clear link to the Christmas season: "Love is the royal way" (No. 179). The book of Isaiah in the Bible anticipates the coming of a unique kind of royalty, "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" (9:6). The verse goes on to crown this child "The Prince of Peace," prophesying the coming of Jesus. As the "Prince of Peace," Jesus lived the royal way. And the gladness that accompanied his healing works was undeniable. His motto could have easily been, "Love rules."