"Manger moments" I call them—times of turning to God with humility to receive more of His Christ. In these quiet moments, I've glimpsed the magnitude of Jesus' mission, the purity of his life-purpose. And I've seen more of the bigness of the Christ, the divine nature Jesus expressed in every thought, word, and act. The cumulative impact of these moments has revealed a much deeper meaning and purpose in my own life. Although I know my need to receive so much more of the divine nature, its influence has already brought me greater obedience to the Christ, commitment to the Christ, and consistency in the Christ.
For me, manger moments started early one December. I was a full-time mom with two little kids. I had started studying Christian Science, and didn't want another Christmas to go by without giving more attention to the Christ in Christmas, especially Christ Jesus' example. One morning I got up an hour earlier to pray before the household hubbub began. From that time of communing, I remember feeling a deep desire to be obedient to the Christ in every way I could.
Later that morning we went to the mall and came away with only one purchase—a little book called What Christmas Means to Me and Other Christmas Messages by Mary Baker Eddy. It's a compilation from her published writings. During the kids' naptime, I read my new book and was brought up short by this statement: "... the children should not be taught to believe that Santa Claus has aught to do with this pastime." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 261.
