What does Christmas mean to a Christian Scientist?

As I was digging out the Christmas tree and decorations from the cupboard, sorting out the tinsel and testing and replacing the lamps in the Christmas tree lights today I got to thinking about what Christmas means to me. There was a time when we were raising the children that the preparations for Christmas were nearly overwhelming – selecting the presents, putting them on lay-by and paying them off over several months, baking for and attending various Christmas parties and functions, buying presents for the children’s friends and teachers, supporting them in their end of year performances for school, ballet and music, double-checking that everyone in the family had just the right gift bought and lovingly wrapped and placed under the tree, and making preparations for Christmas holidays away at either the beach or with family, or both. The list went on, and on…..

Today, as a grandparent I have much more time for reflection and appreciation of the significance of Christmas. As a Christian Scientist, I place great importance on the life of Christ Jesus. The foretelling of the promised coming of the Messiah, the virgin birth, his ministry of teaching and healing and his later crucifixion, resurrection and ascension are key to Christian Science theology.

But to me personally, Jesus is my mentor and the guy who has shown me the way to health, happiness and harmony. Without his life and example the world would be quite a different place. He gave me a glimpse that:

• there is one, infinite God who is All and all-good, that God is not distant and unknowable, but that He/She is Father-Mother, all-embracing and always present;
• every individual is made in God’s spiritual image, loved by God and cared for by Him; 
• every suggestion of sickness or disease is something I don’t need to accept. If Jesus could heal every possible instance of sickness or disease through prayer and the acknowledgement of God’s goodness and infinite Love for man than we can find solutions through prayer too;
• life is actually eternal and the suggestion of a death process is an illusion.

The book that has explained Jesus teachings and healings as recorded in the Bible and made it clear enough to demonstrate myself is Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Without the wisdom, spiritual understanding and practical science expounded in this book I wouldn’t have such a clear understanding of my relationship to God or know how to demonstrate this understanding, which when applied has such a tangible effect—such as restored relationships, financial well-being, physical healing, character transformation and so on.

For the record, now I’m not so inclined to be caught up in the window-dressing about Christmas. It’s now not so much about presents, Santa and worshipping a dear little baby as about emulating the works of the adult Jesus in my everyday life throughout the year. And that means that I have a choice every day! When I put into practice this Science of Christianity I feel the love and joy usually reserved for Christmas every day.