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Mary Baker Eddy

Books

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Book

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Other Writings

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1893

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Year:

1970

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Book Title:

Christ and Christmas

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Christ and Christmas

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Christ and Christmas

Book Intro Quotes:

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After the 'how' comes the actual doing of it by the student. In the flow
of the textbook's chapters PHYSIOLOGY is the next one. SCIENCE,
THEOLOGY, MEDICINE has set out translation as the divine means for
resolving the mistaken material sense, and now immediately
PHYSIOLOGY shows the divine sense of body actually translating the
corporeal, physiological sense of body. To the mortal view body seems to
be the working of physical organs, but the Christ-consciousness
translates that appearance and shows body to be spiritual functions
under the control of God. Material sense believes that body is mortal,
and is either male or female, the product of other males and females;
PHYSIOLOGY awakens us to understand that body is immortal, the
outcome of Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love, and that we
are the body of the living God.
Precisely the same relationship obtains here between the previous
book, Retrospection and Introspection, and the seventh one, Christ and
Christmas. The former has explained how the human picture must be
revised, and now the latter comes as a working model of actually
re-seeing our world. What are we looking at? Who are we seeing? The
seeming world of bodies and personalities is being translated.
Christ and Christmas consists of a poem of fifteen verses based on a
Glossary of Scriptural texts, all of which testify that man's origin, life
and destiny are not in mortality but in God, and that understanding this
fact heals the hum...an condition. The poem itself celebrates this divine
healing, first as it was demonstrated by Jesus, and then as reintroduced
by Christian Science:
"As in blest Palestina's hour,
So in our age,
'Tis the same hand unfolds His power,
And writes the page" (p. 39).
The feature of the book that hits the eye first, however, is not the poem
but the eleven plates which illustrate it. They depict the two phases of
the Christ-healing, first in the manhood and then in the womanhood of
God. The manhood aspect is portrayed as the traditional Jesus, while
the womanhood aspect appears as a female figure representing Christian
Science. It is easy to see why many people took the female figure to be
Mrs Eddy, and were either offended or enraptured. True, Christ's
second appearing came through a woman, yet the corporeal personality
of Mary Baker Eddy is no more the Christ than was the physical person
of Jesus. The pioneering manhood quality is fulfilled and complemented
by the universal embrace of womanhood; the key purpose of the book is
to overcome the belief that these qualities belong to a sex or a person.
The seventh book, then, is unique on account of its pictures and yet it
is not first and foremost a picture-book. Mrs Eddy herself describes it as
"An Illustrated Poem" (Mis. 371), and so it is the poem which is
primary. The pictures simply describe the outward effect of the spiritual
ideas of the poem - give it a 'body,' so to speak, by which the ideas are
illustrated. The lesson to be perceived at the outset, therefore, is that in
the work of Christian Science we do not start from the picture before the
eyes but from the inward reality. Reading from the outward appearance,
be it a picture or a corporeal body, will always lead to confusion,
whereas reading from the spiritual idea (the text), will illuminate and
transform the appearance. The distinction is the same as the two phases
of the Scientific Translation: reading from the pictures is like trying to
reason unaided from the second translation, while reading from the
poem and its Glossary is like working from the standpoint of the first
translation. It is this "Scientific Translation of Immortal Mind" that
alone can look behind the veil of a picture on a page (or a material
person) and bring out the deeper meaning.
In Christ and Christmas Mrs Eddy expressed this idea in her poem, and
- very courageously - attempted to portray it in pictures, to make the
idea visible. She had planned to have the new book published in good
time for the World's Parliament of Religions in September 1893 where, it
will be remembered, her address was on the theme of womanhood. In
the event the book was not ready until December, when two editions
were issued. But its reception, by her students as well as by the public,
showed such lack of spiritual comprehension, and such intense
personalization of its symbolic figures, that in January 1894 she
withdrew it until thought had advanced somewhat. In the February
Journal she wrote that "to impersonalize scientifically the material sense
of existence - rather than cling to personality - is the lesson of to-day"
(Mis. 310). She also explained that "the illustrations in 'Christ and
Christmas' ... refer not to personality, but present the type and shadow
of Truth's appearing in the womanhood as well as in the manhood of
God, our divine Father and Mother" (Mis. 33).
Before the book could be safely reintroduced some spiritual reeducation
had to take place, and it was provided by changes made a
little later in the textbook. In 1897 man and woman were defined in the
MARRIAGE chapter for the first time as "elements" and "native
qualities," in place of "individualities" and "man and woman;" and
"sex elements" became "mental elements" (S&H 57 in our present
edition). This incorporeal view of manhood and womanhood resolved
much of the misunderstanding and opposition, and made it possible for
her to re-issue the book in December of 1897. Some of the pictures were
modified, and altogether it went through nine editions.
In Miscellaneous Writings there are three illuminating articles that refer
to the mission of Christ and Christmas and the adventures it went through:
CHRIST AND CHRISTMAS Gan. 1894; Mis. 371); DEIFICATION OF
PERSONALITY (Feb. 1894; Mis. 308); and part of Question and Answer
no. 2 (Feb. 1894; Mis. 32: 31-11). In addition an interesting account of
his work on the plates of the book is to be found in Recollections of Mary
Baker Eddy by the artist, James F. Gilman, who describes the
transformation of his consciousness while he collaborated with Mrs
Eddy. He also records that the related article ANGELS on Mis. 306 was
written by Mrs Eddy as a letter to a student.
In her article CHRIST AND CHRISTMAS she sets out the mission of the
book, and in it repeatedly links Science and art. She says that it "voices
Christian Science through song and object-lesson." "The art of Christian
Science, with true hue and character of the living God, is akin to its
Science." Above the storms of passion and prejudice "Christian Science
and its art will rise triumphant." What is this 'art,' beyond the painting
of pictures? She answers: "The truest art of Christian Science is to be a
Christian Scientist." Art, says the dictionary, is the skilful producing of
something beautiful by making, working, or arranging; and surely its
essential purpose is to give visible form to an invisible idea. As Science is
assimilated and embodied it becomes exemplified in the art of healing,
and is seen in changed lives. Of course God is not seen by material sense,
yet "the nature of God must be seen in man" (01 5). Theory will not
illustrate Christian Science, but life will. Thus - to return to the twin
translation - the Science of the first translation alters the evidence before
the senses in the second, and the art of Christian Science is for man to
cooperate with this divine power.
The crucial point is that, had it not been for the illustrations, Christ and
Christmas would hardly have been controversial at all. Yet knowing the
kind of reaction the pictures would arouse, Mrs Eddy had to publish
them; their very existence, one might say, was a spiritual necessity as an
exercise in seeing. Life must be seen in life; Love must be visible in love;
the Christ must have its manifestation inJesus. People do not object to
this 'incarnation' so long as it is two thousand years ago; but the
suggestion that someone in our midst today is also an instrument for the
Christ may be thought outrageous - or lead to personal idolization. Who
was Jesus? Who is Mary Baker Eddy? Who are we? In 1893 the right
answer to these questions forms the foundation of the newly-formed
church, for unless the students can look at persons and see not
personality but the God-idea, they are still mentally in the old
organization.
So to consider the book itself, which to some is a mystery and to others
almost a Bible. The fifteen verses are reasonably straightforward, but
the eleven illustrations lend themselves to many interpretations. This is
because words have their own clear meaning, which must be the same
for all of us (this is the characteristic of language), whereas the ways in
which we see pictures and people are very diverse. Seeing is a highly
subjective facuity, reflecting our own state of consciousness, be it dark or
illumined. For this reason Christ and Christmas is not an end in itself but is
a wonderful aid, a lesson in looking, in reasoning not from matter but
from the Word of God, and seeing the Christ power actually changing
the world.
Over the years many earnest students have brought to the study of
Christ and Christmas great spiritual insight and scientific analysis, and
various structures have been put forward for its interpretation. Possibly
they are all true in their own way; no doubt it does present the
counterfact to astrology; no doubt it is laid out according to 'the seven'
and 'the four.' The student will see in Christ and Christmas what he takes
to it - which is more or less what the PHYSIOLOGY chapter says about
body. In the end one comes to see the meaning best expressed in the key
verse quoted from Revelation: "And he that overcometh, and keepeth
my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And I
will give him the MORNING STAR. - Christ Jesus." The message is overcoming
mortal sense through Christ power.
The first verse and picture virtually say to us, If you try to read from
matter or from bodily appearances, all is cloudy, dark, chaotic. But if
you reason out from the seven-pointed star, you will see on those same
clouds the semblance of the virgin and child (the star of Bethlehem) , and
possibly the head of another Mary (representing "the star of Boston"
Mis. 320). The light of the star is "To rouse the living, wake the dead
And point the Way." Then the last picture entitled THE WAY, depicts the
three degrees of the second translation: a large black cross; a flowery,
bird-decked illuminated cross, and a heavenly crown. The verses are the
Christ message, and the illustrations are its progressive effect
illuminating, translating, healing and reinterpreting the whole human
picture. They become more and more meaningful in the degree that we
follow the guiding star of being and overcome corporeal sense.

Mary Baker Eddy's Other Writings
'You will find me in my books'

“To be a Christian Scientist involves being changed; it demands an inner transformation, a renovation of the self, in order to become a transparency for the divine. This vital work is done by spiritualization of consciousness, but it is done in the area of life and of relationships, and it is on this area of experience that the Other Writings concentrate. Mrs Eddy herself considered these writings 'essential to preparing Christian Scientists for the full understanding of Science and Health'” (Orcutt 78).

"The spiritual beauty and practicality of these inspired books have made them beloved to generations of Christian Scientists, yet strangely few students today, a century later, know much about their origin, or regard them in their wholeness. Yet this is critical to appreciating the value of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy’s flagship which is the Textbook of Christian Science. Understanding this framework is necessary in order to approach the ever-unfoldment that takes place when a serious study of Christian Science is undertaken. With this background information the student can read intelligently each piece in its setting, The message of the writings is enormously enhanced once he understands their occasion.
See Mary Baker Eddy's Other Writings by John L. Morgan (1984)
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Text Content:

CHRIST AND
CHRISTMAS

CHRIST AND CHRISTMAS

A POEM

BY
MARY BAKER EDDY

AUTHOR OF “SCIENCE AND HEALTH WITH KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES”
AND OTHER WORKS

Published by The
Trustees under the Will of Mary Baker G. Eddy
BOSTON, U.S.A.

Authorized Literature of
The First Church of Christ, Scientist
In Boston, Massachusetts

----------------

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PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

CHRIST AND
CHRISTMAS

FAST circling on, from zone to zone, —
Bright, blest, afar, —
O'er the grim night of chaos shone
One lone, brave star.

STAR OF BETHLEHEM

IN tender mercy, Spirit sped
A loyal ray
To rouse the living, wake the dead,
And point the Way —

The Christ-idea, God anoints —
Of Truth and Life;
The Way in Science He appoints,
That stills all strife.

CHRIST HEALING

WHAT the Beloved knew and taught,
Science repeats,
Through understanding, dearly sought,
With fierce heart-beats;

SEEKING AND FINDING

THUS Christ, eternal and divine,
To celebrate
As Truth demands, — this living Vine
Ye demonstrate.

For heaven's Christus, earthly Eves,
By Adam bid,
Make merriment on Christmas eves,
O'er babe and crib.

CHRISTMAS EVE

YET wherefore signalize the birth
Of him ne'er born?
What can rehearse the glorious worth
Of his high morn?

CHRISTMAS MORN

CHRIST was not crucified — that doom
Was Jesus' part;
For Sharon's rose must bud and bloom
In human heart. *

Forever present, bounteous, free,
Christ comes in gloom;
And aye, with grace towards you and me,
For health makes room.

* “God was manifest in the flesh.” --- St. Paul.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE HEALING

THUS olden faith's pale star now blends
In seven-hued white!
Life, without birth and without end,
Emitting light!

I THANK THEE O FATHER, LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH, BECAUSE THOU HAST HID THESE THINGS FROM THE WISE
AND PRUDENT, AND HAST REVEALED THEM UNTO BABES. ---- Christ Jesus

THE Way, the Truth, the Life — His word —
Are here, and now
Christ's silent healing, heaven heard,
Crowns the pale brow.

TREATING THE SICK

FOR Christian Science brings to view
The great I Am, —
Omniscient power, — gleaming through
Mind, mother, man.

As in blest Palestina's hour,
So in our age,
'T is the same hand unfolds His power,
And writes the page.

CHRISTIAN UNITY

TO-DAY, as oft, away from sin
Christ summons thee!
Truth pleads to-night: Just take Me in!
No mass for Me!

THUTH versus ERROR

NO blight, no broken wing, no moan,
Truth's fane can dim;
Eternal swells Christ's music-tone,
In heaven's hymn.

THE WAY

POEM AND
GLOSSARY

CHRIST AND CHRISTMAS

1. Fast circling on, from zone to zone, — 8. Christ was not crucified --- that doom
Bright, blest, afar, — Was Jesus’ part;
O'er the grim night of chaos shone For Sharon’s rose must bud and bloom
One lone, brave star. In human heart. *

2. In tender mercy, Spirit sped 9. Forever present, bounteous, free,
A loyal ray Christ comes in gloom;
To rouse the living, wake the dead, And aye, with grace towards you and me,
And point the Way — For health makes room.

3. The Christ-idea, God anoints — 10. Thus olden faith's pale star now blends
Of Truth and Life; In seven-hued white!
The Way in Science He appoints, Life, without birth and without end,
That stills all strife. Emitting light!

4. What the Beloved knew and taught, 11. The Way, the Truth, the Life — His word —
Science repeats, Are here, and now
Through understanding, dearly sought, Christ's silent healing, heaven heard,
With fierce heart-beats; Crowns the pale brow.

5. Thus Christ, eternal and divine, 12. For Christian Science brings to view
To celebrate The great I Am, —
As Truth demands, — this living Vine Omniscient power, — gleaming through
Ye demonstrate. Mind, mother, man.

6. For heaven's Christus, earthly Eves, 13. As in blest Palestina's hour,
By Adam bid, So in our age,
Make merriment on Christmas eves, 'T is the same hand unfolds His power,
O'er babe and crib. And writes the page.

7. Yet wherefore signalize the birth 14. To-day, as oft, away from sin
Of him ne'er born? Christ summons thee!
What can rehearse the glorious worth Truth pleads to-night: Just take Me in!
Of his high morn? No mass for Me!

15. No blight, no broken wing, no moan,
Truth's fane can dim;
Eternal swells Christ's music-tone,
In heaven's hymn.

* “God was manifest in the flesh.” --- St. Paul.
GLOSSARY
These Scriptural texts are the basis of the sentiments in the verses, whereto their number corresponds.

VERSE

1. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. — Christ Jesus.

2. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall
hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. — Christ Jesus.

3. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in
the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. — Isaiah.

4. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you. — Christ Jesus.

5. The tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work
of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands. — Isaiah.

6. Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. — Job.

7. Before Abraham was, I am. — Christ Jesus.

8. If Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit [God-likeness]
is life because of righteousness. — St. Paul.

9. But such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. — St. Peter.

10. Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life;
but made like unto the Son of God. — St. Paul.

11. Heal the sick. — Christ Jesus.

12. For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister,
and mother. — Christ Jesus.

13. And there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. — Christ Jesus.

14. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him,
and will sup with him, and he with me. — Christ Jesus.

15. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. — Christ Jesus.

AND he that overcometh, and keepeth my
works unto the end, to him will I give
power over the nations:
And I will give him the MORNING STAR.
— Christ Jesus.

MARY BAKER EDDY
AND
JAMES F. GILMAN
ARTISTS
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