In this Issue
December 2026
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
—II Corinthians 10:4
WELCOME
Welcome - December 2026
Nancy Humphrey Case
The Light of Christ, Truth, that shone over Bethlehem is present and active today.
ARTICLES
Opening and sharing the gracious gifts of Christmas
Janet Clements
Each day throughout the Christmas season, we can take divine gifts, one at a time, and “open” them. We can gratefully ponder how the blessings of each gift encircle the world.
Disarming the bully
George Nutwell
When treated like angels in disguise, bullies have no power to harm.
Truth is empowering and heartfelt
John Qualtrough
Deepening our understanding of all-powerful Truth, God, can have a transformative effect in every aspect of our lives.
What did I mean by “doing” the Bible Lesson?
Judith Hardy Olson
Going deep into two sourcebooks—the Bible and the Christian Science textbook—this writer found spiritual meaning every day.
To follow Jesus
Cynthia Clague
“Jesus assured us we can all follow his unparalleled example of Christly love.”
THE BIBLE: OUR SUFFICIENT GUIDE
Freedom from a bitter mentality
Devon Burr
As Jeremiah and Ezekiel note in their rebuttal of the proverb, “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge,” under God’s just and loving government no evil mentality can be transmitted from one individual to another.
POEMS
Obey the angels
Kit Cornell Kurtz
A simple thing
to hear what God says
and then obey
TESTIMONIES OF HEALING
Cracked tooth restored
Samantha Vance
Praying to see the harmony of God’s creation restores a cracked tooth.
God is equal to every emergency
Linda Knapp
“In a profound moment of understanding, I grasped the completely spiritual nature of man.”
Severe symptoms quickly healed
Andrew Cutts
“I simply held thought as closely as possible to my growing understanding of God as Spirit.”
Truth removes what needs removing
Traci Fenton
“Spiritual truth alone can do the work material means attempt to do.”
FROM THE MARY BAKER EDDY LIBRARY
At this holiday season, the Journal shares correspondence between Mary Baker Eddy and one of her students on the subject of holiday gifts.
OF GOOD REPORT
To see God as All
Richard Mears
Though it takes spiritual discipline to keep ourselves free of erroneous, unspiritual thoughts, this discipline comes from God.
Love, the pathway to forgiveness
Name Withheld
Acknowledging everyone as belonging to God helps lift us out of hurt and anger and enables us to love and forgive.
At home in God
Linda Saylor
Each time the author and her family needed to change locations, she prayed, and God led them to homes that met their needs.
SPIRITUAL SHORTS
Spirit feeds the affections
Anjuli Carr
When it feels like affections are famished, we can turn to God, who feeds us with “the fruit of the Spirit,” and we find that we and others are filled with His grace.
Heal, cleanse, raise, Cast out
Diane Allison
A closer look at Jesus’ instructions on healing.
LIVING CHURCH
Uniting with Church
First Church of Christ, Scientist, Gresham, Oregon
After study and prayer shifted their focus from the church building to the actions of Truth and Love, these members relocated their church harmoniously and progressively.
Sunday School students can be involved in many aspects of church.
Sunday School: An integral part of church
Church Activities Department
Sunday School students can play a role—and make an impact—in our branch church work.
A message from the Board of Trustees of The Christian Science Publishing Society
The Board of Trustees, The Christian Science Publishing Society
Stay up to date on some recent changes.
New Editor at The Christian Science Monitor
The Christian Science Board of Directors
Learn about a recent change at The Christian Science Monitor.
Announcement of Normal class 2027
The Christian Science Board of Education
Applications for the Normal class of 2027 are now being accepted.
Learn the latest from The Mother Church about Christian Science content on YouTube, as well as an item from the Treasurer, a branch church dedication, and the publishing of the latest Bible collection.
EDITORIAL
Angel breadcrumbs
Jennifer McLaughlin
Like the shepherds at Jesus’ birth, we can listen for and obey the successive angel messages that comfort and heal.
