UPFRONT December 20, 2010 Issue

LIGHT YOUR CANDLE

INGRID PESCHKE, MANAGING EDITOR

What better way to think of Christmas than "blest"? In fact, that's how I'd characterize the writers' experiences in this issue—from lending helping hands to others, to experiencing Christmas healings and joy, each article's message lights a candle for this special occasion.

Words of a poem and beloved hymn, by Sentinel founder Mary Baker Eddy, inspired the title of our issue: "Blest Christmas Morn." How did Mrs. Eddy spend her Christmas mornings? Well, we know she shared prayerful thoughts with her staff on a daily basis, and Christmas was no exception. Laura Sargent—who worked for her for 20 years—recorded this diary entry from Christmas Day 1900:

"[Mrs. Eddy] called me to her and gave me these words as a gift from her: "Put away all selfishness; bury out of sight any sense of being wronged and injustice and ingratitude from others. Where you feel you have been wronged, love more and God will pour in love to you.' Then she called me again and said, 'This is the little box to keep the gift in: 'Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors' " (Diary of Laura Sargent, The Mary Baker Eddy Collection, The Mary Baker Eddy Library).

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