THE world at this time is thinking of Christmas; but largely along material lines. To the Christian Scientist, through his study of the Bible and of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, Christmas is revealed in its real meaning, not merely as a season or time of the year, but as a season of the heart, which may be lived continuously. For the spirit of Christmas is eternal, and lives always.
The history of the birth of Jesus is rich in truth to the consciousness perceiving Spirit. The Biblical record tells of the shepherds who listened to the voices of angels, and of the Wisemen who followed the star which led them to the cradle of the Bethlehem babe. In the second chapter of Luke it is recorded that the angel said to the shepherds, "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Mrs. Eddy says in the Preface to Science and Health (p. vii): "The wakeful shepherd beholds the first faint morning beams, ere cometh the full radiance of a risen day. So shone the pale star to the prophet-shepherds; yet it traversed the night, and came where, in cradled obscurity, lay the Bethlehem babe, the human herald of Christ, Truth, who would make plain to benighted understanding the way of salvation through Christ Jesus, till across a night of error should dawn the morning beams and shine the guiding star of being. The Wisemen were led to behold and to follow this daystar of divine Science, lighting the way to eternal harmony." "First faint morning beams," "pale star," "Bethlehem babe," all present to thought an appearing, a light dawning, the promise of harmonious being; yet the Wisemen were ready to follow this appearing, however pale the rays might be; and in this way were led to the feet of the babe who would become the Saviour of the world.
What a wonderful lesson may here be gleaned, not a lesson to be intellectually learned merely, but one to be practiced each day, and in each demonstration of Christian Science. In working out problems, when the first faint beam of Truth appears regarding a situation, it should be so much appreciated that it will be accepted and followed. Many times, however, there is a reluctance to follow until "the full radiance of a risen day" lights the path. This hesitation naturally prolongs demonstration. •Every step must be taken; for each has its place in complete healing.
