THERE is a daystar in the metaphysical heavens of today which is leading modern wise men to the object of their search. It was faintly discernible to the kings of the East at the time of Jesus' birth. It is now radiant in the night of materialism for those who are willing to raise their eyes, their spiritual perception, above the earth, and to let a divine sense of Truth point out the right direction. In referring to her discovery of Christian Science, and quoting in this connection Paul's statement, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace," Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 24), "This knowledge came to me in an hour of great need; and I give it to you as deathbed testimony to the daystar that dawned on the night of material sense."
This daystar, which shone for Paul and again for the Discoverer of Christian Science, is shining so brilliantly today that multitudes, stricken and tortured through the long nights of doubt, skepticism, physical suffering, moral degeneration, and dread of the future, are hailing with joy its appearance on the horizon of their own perception. This daystar announces to them both the Saviour and the way of his salvation, the Christ, Truth, which sets forth the Principle, rule, and demonstration of Christian Science. "To be carnally minded" is to entertain the belief of life in matter, and this belief, according to the great apostle, "is death." Thinking in accordance with this false sense of life is literally being dead, dead in sin and subject to sin's multifarious consequences. Therefore this same apostle could illustrate his progress toward spiritual life by declaring, "I die daily;" that is, some phase of the belief of life in matter was daily disappearing from his consciousness as the daystar of life in God, Spirit, dawned upon his apprehension.
Balaam prophesied, "There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel." The revelator recorded the following words of Jesus: "I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." Shall we content ourselves with the material fulfilment of this prophecy in the coming of the personal Jesus? Shall we not, while rejoicing in the birth of Jesus, also take a further step and recognize in that star which is now shining so brilliantly, the Christ-teaching which was in reality never obliterated? If Christ, Truth, and not alone the personal Jesus, is represented by the star, then all may behold it today, even though the ascension has taken from them the physical personality of the beloved Master.
