Editorials

“I’m Jamie and I’m going to Wales. It’s time for Jamie 2.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.   — Matthew 2:1, 2 Not much is known of the Magi, who may have been part of a Persian priesthood of wise men.

Giving thanks is widely recognized as an important aspect of fruitful living—for individuals, families, communities, and nations. And gratitude is always important, especially when good seems absent.

Can God give us a BMW? At one point in my life this was not a hypothetical question. I was being given a ride in a fully functioning but run-of-the-mill family car when the driver said in all earnestness that he was praying for a BMW.

Once, years ago, after my annual Christian Science students’ association meeting, my Christian Science teacher (with whom I had gone through Primary class instruction in Christian Science) asked if I would help her carry some things to her apartment nearby. As we walked and talked, suddenly she stopped, reached into her purse, and pulled out a rather large address book.

Not far from the crowds coming and going at the main train station in Helsinki, Finland, is a modest modern building with a rounded wooden exterior. It is the Kamppi Chapel, also known informally as “the quiet chapel.

Traveling around the UK recently, I’ve noted certain self-proclaimed Christian spokespeople standing in town centers preaching the gospel. While I salute their willingness to stand up in public as followers of Christ, my heart sinks as I hear many of them shout at passersby that they are sinners destined to end up in hell.

If you were asked to name some “worthy causes,” you could probably identify quite a few.   You might begin simply by recalling some solicitations in the regular mail—from organizations wanting to prevent cruelty to animals, possibly, or save the whales or preserve the environment.

“Church of the lighted lamps. ” There was a village church known by this name.

“He is risen”! This joyful exclamation marked Jesus arising from death after his crucifixion (see Mark 16:6). It was first spoken by the angel at Jesus’ empty tomb to the women who came to look for him, and quickly became the happy greeting of the early Christians as a triumphant reminder of Jesus’ proof of everlasting Life.