O Come Emmanuel

Emmanuel is “God with us” according to the Bible book of Matthew (1:23).  The author of the book of John explains it this way, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” (3:16)

The Apostle Paul asks, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”  (Romans 8:31)

If God loves us so much that He is with us and for us, what can come between Him and us?  Nothing.

The Christ is that perpetual promise – that nothing can come between God and us – for the Christ is the “mediator between God and men.” (1 Tim 2:5)

That means Christmas is every day – because God and His Christ are every day – divine Love is every day.

O Come Emmanuel.  God is indeed with us.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

What child is this?

No, I’m not thinking of the song, but asking the question literally.  What child are we honoring at this season?  Certainly we all know the story of the birth of Jesus over two millennia ago, recounted in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.  Of him, John writes that “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son…” (see chapter 3, verse 16)

Many children were born at the same time.  But it is this one child, this harbinger of hope and peace, whose birth we celebrate.  We know nothing of the actual delivery of Jesus, only that it called wise men and shepherds and caused angels to announce its glorious promise.

And what is the promise of this child?  Certainly Jesus was not a warrior who came to deliver men then and now from dictators or occupiers.  Yet his power – the godliness which animated him, to quote Mary Baker Eddy – freed all mankind throughout all time from the oppression of sin, disease, and death, today included.  You and me included.  (Science and Health page 26)

Is that the child we are acknowledging?

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.  (2 Cor. 9:16)

Merry Christmas to you all.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.

Which shall be to all people

Isn’t it lovely to know that the celebration of the coming of the Christ is not about sect or denomination, nor is it about vicinity or era.  When the angels shared the good news of the birth of Jesus, they promised it was to be for everyone.  And the shepherds joyfully “made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.”  (see Luke, chapter 2)

Let us too, be generous in telling the story of great affection, salvation, and blessing this season stands for.  The Apostle Paul says that in doing so, “we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”  (2 Cor. 1:4)

Sometimes we want to shout the good news from the roof tops.  Other times, the awe we feel can only be expressed in humble quietude.  Phillips Brooks beloved hymn explains the latter.  Well over one hundred years ago, he wrote: “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.”

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.  (2 Cor. 9:15)

Merry Christmas to you all.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

End of the world?

This season of Immanuel says otherwise.  The Bible is filled with many reassuring and clear passages about God’s love for the world – and all of His creation – for any of us to give in to concerns about some kind of impending destruction.  In fact, the Scriptures state that God sent His son to make His love and salvation plain eternally.  (see John 3:16)

The prophecy in the book of Isaiah about Immanuel (a Hebrew word meaning “God with us”) was given to comfort and sustain the early Israelites.  (see chapter 7, verse 14)  Jesus’ birth fulfilled that holy prediction, not only for his time but for all time.  He once said of himself, “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  (see John 16:33)  By this, he didn’t mean he was destroying the world, but destroying its pull on him.  The Apostle Paul explained it this way: “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  (see Romans 12:2)

Jesus confirmed this when he said, “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”  (see John 5:30)  And he reiterated his mission this way, “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”  (see Luke 9:56) 

Doesn’t it follow then, that the comforting promises of the Bible, and of Jesus’ own life are still valid today?  Still worth celebrating?   Still worth practicing –  today and every day?  Look for signs of Immanuel, for God with you.  They are everywhere, in every moment and place.  But especially look for them in your heart.  You will know that you are safe eternally.

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end.” Eph 3:20,21

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

Stars and Angels

Sure, Christmas trees are covered with them.  But they’re more than just pretty ornaments: they are indicators of the season.  Afterall, it was a brilliant celestial light and a heavenly host which heralded the nativity of Jesus Christ.  Both shepherds and wise men, the meek  and the mighty, followed and obeyed their guidance – and were rewarded with a promise of salvation for all.

The star, and the magi who followed it, are only mentioned in Matthew’s gospel (see chapter 2).  Scholars and scientists have, for centuries, attempted to validate and verify its existence, but nothing has been proved for certain.  And yet it still serves as a beacon to those who follow the Christ today.  It’s bright beam stands for the enduring hope of redemption from sin and suffering, even from death itself.  Isaiah prophesied, “And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”  (see chapter 60, verse 3)

The angelic couriers, delivering God’s message of the dawning of the Savior, spoke one-on-one to Joseph and Mary.  And in a great multitude they broke forth in glorious song to the humble hearts, who were waiting and listening, and ready to follow the happy proclamation.  Those guides from God are still declaring today, the joyous news that mankind is loved.

So, stars and angels foretell a story of majesty and quietude, one which means even more here and now, than it did millennia ago.  Let us learn the lesson of those symbols of Christ’s coming and prove that their prophecy is a present reality: the Messiah is alive and well and living in our hearts.

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.

Love’s Divine Adventure

This is the season of Advent – of the coming of Christ – celebrated in many Christian denominations around the world.  The ritual, the pageantry, all richly portend Jesus’ birth and point to the salvation that event made plain.  But even though this time of year is especially set aside to reverently consider the dawning of the Christ, it is even more important to reflect on what that arrival means for you and me.

Jesus’ birth has been recorded as occurring at a particular time in history.  But he said of the Christ which he expressed, “Before Abraham was, I am.” 1  His eternal nature, therefore, can’t be measured as starting at some point in time, but instead, as here for all time, past, present, and future.

Jesus brought to light that universality in his healing ministry and he repeatedly indicated that he expected us to follow him and do his works.  He said, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” 2 “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.” 3  “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”  4  And finally, he instructed, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”5

Ultimately, Jesus prepared us, both through his words and his example, to ensure that the Christ-spirit is ever-present, even here today.  He said “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”  6

Doesn’t it seem then, that the best way to truly celebrate Advent, is to do as he did?  To follow his directives?  To forgive, to bless, to heal?

Let us turn this holy season into a divine advent-ure of loving him so much, that we can’t help but follow his commandments.  Let us go into all the world and have our lives be his gospel preached.  Let us love one another.

Merry Christmas to you all.

1  John 8:58

2 Mark 16:15

3  Matt. 10:8

4  Luke 10:27

5  John 14:15

6  John 14:12

Melissa Hayden is a Christian Science practitioner in Salem, OR. You can find more information and additional articles at this link.  If you like what you’re reading, click the “add me” button.