Page:The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany.djvu/287

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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CHRISTMAS
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my studio; look again at your gift, and you will see the sweetest sculptured face and form conceivable, mounted on its pedestal between my bow windows, and on either side lace and flowers. I have named it my white student.

From First Church of Christ, Scientist, in London, Great Britain, I received the following cabled message: —

Rev. Mrs. Eddy, Pleasant View,
Concord, N. H.

Loving, grateful Christmas greetings from members London, England, church.

December 24, 1901.

To this church across the sea I return my heart's wireless love. All our dear churches' Christmas telegrams to me are refreshing and most pleasing Christmas presents, for they require less attention than packages and give me more time to think and work for others. I hope that in 1902 the churches mil remember me only thus. Do not forget that an honest, wise zeal, a lowly, triumphant trust, a true heart, and a helping hand constitute man, and nothing less is man or woman.


[New York World]

The Significance of Christmas

Certain occasions, considered either collectively or individually and observed properly, tend to give the activity of man infinite scope; but mere merry-making or needless gift-giving is not that in which human capacities find the most appropriate and proper exercise. Christmas respects the Christ too much to submerge itself in merely temporary means and ends. It represents the eternal informing Soul recognized only in harmony,