CHRISTIAN SCIENCE

December 22–28, 2008

STUDYING the Bible Lesson on "Christian Science" at Christmastime brings deep meaning to this special season. I remember as a teenager walking my dog one frosty Christmas morning, and suddenly being moved by a very special joy which had nothing to do with the warm fire and presents under the tree at home. I had a tangible sense of God's presence and comfort, like being flooded with light. These qualities shine out in this week's Lesson.

The Golden Text (Is. 49:13, from the New Life Version) bursts into joyful song at the thought of the coming of the promised Comforter: "Sing for joy, O heavens! ... For the Lord has comforted His people." In Old Testament prophecy this glorious power of the Comforter was often referred to as "the Redeemer." It was foreseen as a great influx of light, evidence of the actual presence of God, a permanent dispensation of peace, joy, and power. Christ Jesus refers to this presence as "the Comforter ... [which] shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" (John 14:26, Section III, citation 9). Parakletos is the Greek term for Comforter in the New Testament, meaning "advocate" or "helper." It appears through Jesus' teachings and healings, and also as the Holy Spirit, the eternal Christ, which exists throughout all time and is present today.

The Lesson opens with the birth of Jesus in the sacred privacy of a stable (Matt.2:1,2,9-11,Sect.I,cit.2). Yet his coming was visible to both Eastern astrologers and local shepherds—people who were used to being awake while others slept. They were the first to know that something of great magnitude had taken place.

Similar to a birth taking place in relative obscurity, the Science of the Christ was revealed in the 19th century to Mary Baker Eddy, who was prepared to receive it. This event wasn't something apart from Christianity, but was indeed the discovery of the laws of God underlying it, coming at a time when they could be understood and practiced. Mrs. Eddy wrote, "When a new spiritual idea is borne to earth, the prophetic Scriptures of Isaiah is renewedly fulfilled: "Unto us a child is born, ... and his name shall be called Wonderful'" (Science and Health,p. 109, Sec. I, cit.6).

The word science is commonly used to refer only to the physical sciences. But Webster's dictionary (1828 edition) defined science as "certain knowledge" and "general principles or leading truths relating to any subject," and gave an example of that usage: "The science of God must be perfect." Webster added, "A principle in science is a rule in art," noting that art relates to practice. As this Lesson explains, Christian Science shows God to be the divine Principle of all healing, explains the rules of healing, and shows how to prove them effective in practice.

In one of Jesus' parables he likened the kingdom of heaven to leaven, or yeast, which a woman used as a rising agent in three portions of flour to make bread (Matt. 13:33, Sect. II, cit. 6). Mrs. Eddy saw a parallel in the effect of the Science of the Christ on human consciousness, steadily transforming it through its divine influence. She likened the Comforter's effect to the way yeast changes the chemical nature of flour (pp. 117–118, Sect. 2, cit. 7), and the "three measures of meal" she likened to science, theology, and medicine. While these fields are usually seen in terms of studying and practicing material laws, Mrs. Eddy saw them in their highest meaning as means of understanding and expressing the divine.

From the outset healing has been central to the theology of Christian Science, reflecting Jesus' command to his followers not just to preach but to heal (Luke 9:1, 2, Sect. IV, cit. 11). Jesus' healing power challenged the theological and medical thought of his time. In healing a man described as troubled by "an unclean spirit" (Mark 1:21–27, Sect. IV, cit. 10), Jesus presented a new theology which had authority and power to heal sin and disease. And in Section V, when a woman touched the tassel of his cloak, longing to be healed of bleeding after medical treatment failed her, Jesus turned to her, saying, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" (Luke 8:43–48, cit. 14). Science and Health explains the medicine of Christian Science to be the divine Mind, acting on the human mind and body (p. 142, cit. 21).

Section VI contains the vision of a new order, glimpsed by Old Testament prophets, embodied in Jesus' life and works, and fulfilled in the appearing of the Comforter as Christian Science. Even when we feel we still have far to go, the promised coming of such wonderful love to humanity, and the ability to love each other as Jesus taught, brings hope. The Comforter truly is here, and here to stay.

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