Tuesday, December 23, 2008

In Dulci Jubilo

The opening pages of "Christian Science Practice" in Science and Health are suffused with the lambent dawning of Love on the lie of material existence. Mary Magdalene's contrite and wordless response to Christ Jesus' radiant embodiment of Love needed only the spiritual authority of his confirmation of her redemption. "Thy sins are forgiven." And "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace." The spiritual sense--the only real comprehension--of Love's presence and power cannot be explained, and hence imprisoned, in words.

Mary Magdalene's was a truer homage to Christ Jesus and divine Love than a merely human rejoicing in the nativity of a child laid in a manger. Neither the Christ nor Love was ever born, and no temporal celebration can ever hope to indemnify one's failure to make his life a testimony to the glory of either.

The written word and inspiring example are necessary rungs on the ladder reaching to heaven, but there is no substitute for that ineffable sense of Love's presence in the heart and its hourly manifestation in our lives. "As mortals drop off their mental swaddling-clothes, thought expands into expression." (S&H 255: 1-3) What could better celebrate the birth of Jesus than the nascence or renascence of Christ within us, unfettered by word or the sick and sinful confines of human thinking?

This is also a good time of year to revisit Mary Baker Eddy's Christ and Christmas. Nothing else in her oeuvre is like this Christianly Scientific plum pudding of word and picture.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

You do express your thoughts so beautifully, dear blogger! Really love your latest entry, which like all of yours, glows with love for the gift of Christian Science.
The merriest Christmas to you...

Anonymous said...

Not only do I get definite uplift from reading your blog, I usually learn a thing or two. Thanks so much for this one, and have yourself a wonderful Christmas Eve and Day!

Anonymous said...

Our heavenly Father must be pleased with what you are doing. You are such a faithful servant of His.
Much love from me during this holy season.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely blog post! Love all of it, especially the thought of Love's hourly manifestation in our lives.
Well done (as usual).
Happy holidays to you,

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you, and many thanks for maintaining a high-level blog. You are doing a grand job putting forth pure Christian Science, not to mention showing respect for its Discoverer and Founder!

Anonymous said...

A blog I love to visit! So full of inspiration and solid ideas to help us in our march heavenward.
A joy-filled Christmas to you!

Anonymous said...

Hope you are having a blessed Christmas Day. Thinking about gifts, your blogging is sending out gifts that won't wear out and be tossed aside, but will go on enriching lives.
I thank you!

Anonymous said...

A big thank-you for all the splendid work you've been doing on behalf of our Cause. I do believe your Leader would be so pleased with the high-level blog you are maintaining!
Keep up your God-directed blogging.

St. Louis said...

A very learned website you've got here!