Those attuned to Spirit, God, realize the presence of the Father and note the working of His power among men. They feel the spirit of Christmas abroad, the joy of the nativity of the true sense of life, and are drawn to Truth by the resistless power of spiritual good. Thus it was when the Saviour was born and shepherds in the field heard the heavenly host saying (Luke 2: 14), "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Something wonderful was happening in the world, and they felt the stirring of a new era. Salvation was drawing near to mankind, salvation from the evil belief that God cannot enforce His own law and that man is the victim of this divine inadequacy.
Simeon was one who also realized the nearness of a spiritual dawn, and when Mary brought the infant Jesus to the temple to "present him to the Lord," Simeon held the child in his arms and blessed God, saying (Luke 2:30, 31), "Mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people." But he went on to warn Mary that the child was set for "a sign which shall be spoken against." His prophecy was that a sword would pierce her own soul, and that "the thoughts of many hearts" would be revealed. Simeon saw that error would be disclosed; that it would not yield to the Christ without a struggle; that Truth would have its enemies; but still, that salvation awaited all mankind.
Ever since the discovery of Christian Science those ready to receive its revelations of God's allness and man's spiritual perfection have felt the mental stir of Truth and have been drawn into the security of its embrace. The same spirit of Christmas is abroad that roused the shepherds to hear the message of peace and good will to all men. The truths which the Master taught and proved in healing ministry are now known in their Science, and the possibility of fully awakening from the mortal sense of life is made universal. Error still seems to struggle against Truth. Devastating wars following the discovery of Christian Science have seemed to confuse mankind and divert them from Christly aims. But the trend of human thought is ever upward, and the materialistic mental forces that are Truth's enemies are being dealt with through love. The spirit of Christmas grows stronger with the years.
