“In Christian Science, Christmas stands for the real, the absolute and eternal, — for the things of Spirit, not of matter” Mary Baker Eddy, Miscellany, p. 260.
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ who came to the world to teach humanity about the real and eternal life we have with God in Spirit.
A secular worship of Christmas often draws people into a dizzy array of shopping, parties and festivities to celebrate the season, but it’s the messages of truth and love from Christ that captures the real reason for the holiday.
Celebrate real Christmas by staying spiritually minded!
Yes, “the real, the absolute and eternal” as Mrs. Eddy says, is our birthright as much as it was the Christ Child’s. It all comes from the eternal Christ Consciousness and will continue being the same always in the vast forever of eternity. I think of “eternity” as eternal timless ever now infinite Truth expressing Love to the whole world, Nan
Nan, I love your thoughts on eternity, ” eternal timeless ever now infinite Truth…” That gave me a clearer understanding of eternity than I feel i have ever had. Thank you. ♡
Many thanks, Nan, for your insightful response. I couldn’t agree more with the way you expressed your view of “eternity.” Carlysle
Many thanks, Nan, for your very insightful comment. I couldn’t agree more with your view of “eternity.” Carlysle
Thank you, Evan, for this message, and the citation that states so well what Christmas stands for. The world needs this reminder, as today, sadly, “Christmas” has become such a secular party-time to so many, with no trace of the Christ in it. How different from our Leader’s words: “I love to observe Christmas in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity, letting good will towards man, eloquent silence, prayer, and praise express my conception of Truth’s appearing”.
The subject of the Mother Church online Wednesday service this week was GIFTS and GIVING. It is a beautiful lesson on the true meaning of Christmas.What God has gifted us with! You can find it by googling the words Christian Science Wednesday online service. About ten minutes of it is organ music if you want move forward to the opening hymn. I am listening to it every day until it goes off the site. Joy to the world!
Thanks, Evan for your ever fresh ideas to help us on our spiritual journeys!
Thank you very much Grace for the hint to google, ,Christian Science Wednesday online service ” I did it and could listen to the Subject ,,Gifts and Giving ” . That is so good to hear inspired thoughts on that actual theme read in The Motherchurch – am grateful for it!
And thank you for that gorgeous image at the top of the blog. Shine forth Star of Light!
Thank you for “ the Real Christmas message”. Y’all start my God-inspired day. This is your gift to me.
Wonderful – thanks, Evan!
Oh, yes!
Thank you, Evan.
A time for us all to be grateful that “God so loved the world.”
“I celebrate Christmas with my soul, my spiritual sense, and so commemorate the entrance into human understanding of the Christ conceived by Spirit, of God and not of woman–as the birth of Truth, the dawn of divine Love breaking upon the gloom of matter and evil with the glory of infinite being.” (My 262:12) My new year’s resolution is the seek to express more of ‘the glory of infinite being’!
The thoughts of gifts Christ gave us during his appearing here on Earth caught my attention, spiritual gifts he brought to us, demonstrated for us, proved how we can use them always, then taught his disciples to continue those gifts for all time and for all the earth. I feel so blessed to learn those gifts are ours today to not only give but to receive. Unlimited gifts. What a merry Christmas!
Thanks, Evan and Commenters! To me, Christmas is about Uncovering, Telling and Knowing the Truth. Letting the Truth come forth in our Government and in the World’s Governments, in our Families, in our Religions and Churches. No more hiding and deceit, no more lies to “look good” in the world’s eyes. After all…..it is the truth and the Truth that will set us Free! Christmas Blessings to All!
Many years ago I put together a Christmas hymn sing put on by the Sunday School and music committee. It went from the Bible prophecies to the coming of the Christ Science. It had Bible verses and citations from Mrs. Eddy’s writings interspersed with the corresponding hymns ending with “Christmas Morn.” The children and teachers read the citations. We’ve done it in several churches since then because of our moving with the Navy. It has always been appreciated by many. Now with the new hymnal supplement it should probably be changed a little. It was a an inspiring and humbling experience for me to work on it. I’d be happy to share it.
I’d love to do that hymn sing in our church. Evan, how could we do that?
Brenda K
That`s nice, Daphne, celebrating Christmas that special way in your church together with your Sunday School, very lovely. Thanks for sharing!
Actually the birth of Jesus (the Christ) is called the holy Night. But all night can be a holy Night – the coming of the Christ. Advent means “the coming of Christ”; that means for me “the dawning of the spiritual Truth in Human consciousness. And as Bevi says: “You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free!”
In Germany we celebrate the four sundays before Christmas Eve “the four Advent sundays”. And each of these Advent sundays we light a candle, until on the fourth sunday there are four candles burning, very pretty. So thats the custom here in Germany, and on the 24th of December is Christmas Eve here, and on this day we light the candles on the Christmastree.
Interesting how different the nations celebrate Christmas; but there is o n e Christ ever, teaching us the spiritual truth and bringing healing to the whole world!
Thank you Evan, to remind us to celebrate the coming of the Christ spiritually minded – so good!
Thank you to Evan and to all who shared such beautiful and insightful comments. The true Christ understanding truly is the real and only gift for us to receive and give. I am in awe today of the glorious Christ presence after waking up from some seemingly mesmeric human challenges. What a great gift to find today from the SV family. I will be reading this one eveyday until Christmas. Thank you all!
I have often shared an article, Celebrating Christmas by Virginia T. Guffin. December 1983 Journal Volume 10/Number 12 The article has references from a Monitor feature of Dec., 18, 1953
References to The Prophecy, The Fulfillment, The Everlasting Promise.
Thank you, Evan and thank you all the commenters. I always enjoy reading about Christmas no matter how many times I have read the passages before. They always seem fresh and new and give inspiration.
Love to all.
Sally.