Article December 19, 2011 ISSUE

Let's have a 'Mary' Christmas

By Mark Swinney

When I was growing up, I had two very good friends who were twin brothers. We spent our junior high and high school years together and always had a great time. They were Jewish, and they knew that I was a Christian Scientist. In everything, we were quietly supportive of one another, including our religions.

I’ll never forget what happened one December when I came home from college for Christmas. My mother is from Germany, so we opened our gifts, not on Christmas morning, but on Christmas Eve. My two friends didn’t know about this family tradition and happily made a surprise visit on Christmas Eve, right when we were settling down around the tree to open presents. Without missing a beat, we invited them in.

About the author

Mark Swinney is a Christian Science practitioner and teacher who lives and teaches in the Albuquerque, New Mexico, area. He’s also a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.

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