What a Leader and tender "mother in Israel" was Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science! Until she went from our sight in her ninetieth year, after a human experience of magnificent activity and accomplishment, with what unselfed love and watchfulness did she stand guard over her great movement! Like the Apostle Paul, whose inspirational epistles encouraged, admonished, and guided the early Christians, Mrs. Eddy frequently sent messages to her followers which blessed them immeasurably and will continue to inspire students of Christian Science for all time.
At such seasons as the Christmastide she was frequently moved to send a benediction to her Church. In the year 1900 there came from her pen not only a tenderly human message, but one of her greatest utterances about the Christ. One can make no mistake in counseling his brother Christian Scientist to read and ponder this important pronouncement of our Leader, especially at the Christmas season. It begins on page 256 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany."
"Again loved Christmas is here," she writes, "full of divine benedictions and crowned with the dearest memories in human history—the earthly advent and nativity of our Lord and Master. At this happy season the veil of time springs aside at the touch of Love. We count our blessings and see whence they came and whither they tend. Parents call home their loved ones, the Yule-fires burn, the festive boards are spread, the gifts glow in the dark green branches of the Christmas tree." Here our Leader pauses to interpolate this word of Christian compassion: "But alas for the broken household band! God give to them more of His dear love that heals the wounded heart." Then follows a most outstanding statement as to the metaphysical meaning of the nativity and the coming of the Christ to humanity.
