Millions of youngsters begin school this autumn, some of them for the first time. Thousands of men and women are taking on different jobs, some just entering the job market; others are starting retirement. Families are moving into areas strange to them, and babies are being born into unfamiliar environments. All these new beginnings are potentially wonderful growing times. They're usually accompanied by excitement, some of which is joyous anticipation, but some is fear. An understanding of the eternality of God and His Christ replaces the abruptness of new beginnings with a cushion of continuity.
The Christ is the never-ending voice that tells us of God's presence, conveying His knowledge and foreknowledge, enabling daily activity to coincide with unchanging divine goodness. Christian Science both adds to our love and appreciation of Jesus and enables us to better live our own lives because Science makes a clear distinction between Jesus and the Christ. The Discoverer and Founder of this Science, Mary Baker Eddy, writes, "The advent of Jesus of Nazareth marked the first century of the Christian era, but the Christ is without beginning of years or end of days." A few lines later she continues, "Jesus referred to this unity of his spiritual identity thus: 'Before Abraham was, I am;' 'I and my Father are one;' 'My Father is greater than I.'" Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 333;
What if it is that child's first day at nursery school? Before the school ever began, the little one in his or her true being possessed all knowledge, preexisting as well as coexisting with God, the infinite Father-Mother. Nothing is new to the Christliness of the child's true consciousness. Knowing this, one can see it is perfectly natural for that first day of school, as well as subsequent ones, to be harmonious, filled with a cozy awareness of the presence of Love.
