Make a little room for Christmas

Take a moment, just a moment, for complete stillness and quiet to contemplate the wonder of what the world is acknowledging on this holy occasion. Isaiah prophesied the advent of the Christ with words that sing, "And his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6).

Nearly everyone has some familiarity with the Christmas story – of a baby born in a manger, fathered by God, with a virgin mother – which has changed the religious landscape forever. Though the many implications of Jesus' life have not been fully realized, there's an opportunity right now for each one to participate in the essence of the event that is Christmas.

Utter stillness provides the most direct access to the power and marvel of Christ's appearing. It's often in a silent moment, carved out and set aside, that something is felt and understood of the immensity of the gift that is the Christ. It holds the promise for the world of uninterrupted harmony, health, and peace.

This comfort that is the Christ might come in an unexpected way – perhaps just as the lights go out at bedtime or as the last embers of the fire flicker out. Or while one is in prayer, anticipating the beginning of a church service, praying for a friend or relative, or when taking a walk. The point is, cherished with spiritual resolve, the desire for the appearing of the Christ-message – God's enduring love and care for His people – ensures its coming. We need only to make room for it.

Jesus was born in a manger, because there was no room in the inn. Perhaps the world would not accommodate this holy occurrence, but throughout his mission, Jesus made room for God and for God's love to be felt in healing, wherever he went. Later on, in his ministry, he made room for infinite Love when he compassionately considered the adulterous woman and her accusers, by turning them to the self-examination and repentance that would heal and transform. He made room for divinely ordered thought to calm a man plagued with demons and to bring him peace by driving them out through power of the governing divine Mind, God. He made room for ever-present Life to raise Lazarus from the grave. And he made room for God's children to follow him through his example of love and faithfulness during his crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension.

Jesus proved life to be eternal when defined by the Christ. In a poem, "Christ and Christmas," Mary Baker Eddy, who discovered Christian Science, captured this healing nature of Christ:

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

Sometimes endeavors to recognize something so simple and divine are awkwardly adolescent – clumsy, noisy, less than graceful. But wherever there is adolescence, the potential for graceful and even elegant maturity waits for an entrance. We can come to a fuller understanding of what Christmas really means. The heavenly stillness of a clear night in which to follow a star pointing to salvation will prevail as we yield more to the awesome and inspiring Christ, God's message to humanity, still in our midst. It starts with moments infused with "peace on earth" and "good will" to all – the true sentiment of Christmas.

How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given;
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear his coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meekness will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in. Phillips Brooks, "Christian Science Hymnal," No. 222