"Joy to the world, the Lord is come, Let earth receive her King"Christian Science Hymnal, No. 164; is the triumphant refrain we associate with the annual commemoration of the birth of Christ Jesus. Yet there were times of trial and hardship in the Master's earthly life. In later years, prophecy was fulfilled, and he undoubtedly deserved the description of "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."Isa. 53:3;
But it was not the sadness and the suffering and the setbacks that claimed his thought in the final stage of his human career. After the resurrection, as he walked with his disciples to Emmaus, he was apparently oblivious of the tragedy of Calvary. His thought was filled to overflowing with the triumphant proof he had given that life could not be overcome by death and that hatred could not extinguish the message of Love.
Though we may marvel at the courage and endurance Jesus displayed during periods of persecution, we would be losing sight of the most important aspects of his lifework if we dwelt unduly on these times of sorrow rather than on his victories.
