The Nativity reflected in nativity

In Bethlehem some 2000 years ago, the skies are now quiet as a small family begins to establish its daily rhythm. The wonder of the night's event may seem a bit too awesome, more like a dream to those who watched the celestial choir at Christ's birth. So rubbing their eyes, they arise to set about their business - it is tax time and there are visitors to tend and to entice with their wares. 

Vendors push the night's song deep into the recesses of their hearts. With resignation while begrudging Roman rule, they say, "Carpe diem!" The narrow streets are already filled and the markets now display premium prices. Buyers are many and day rushes into dusk. Once  at home, will any vendors or buyers remember last night's song as they close their eyes to sleep?

Over the centuries, much has remained the same . For example, last year, I found this image that shows the transcendent quality of the Nativity captured in a contemporary nativity photo. It shows that the birth of a child is universally beautiful and true for every family, in every season. 

From "FORGOTTEN PEOPLE" by Giulio Di Sturco
GDS_ROHINGYA211209D3893.jpg

The place is not Bethlehem long ago but Kutupalong camp, Bangladesh. The spareness of the family shelter and their bodies silently inform us, of poverty, brutal rejection and lives uprooted. This nativity family is not Jewish, but Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority from Burma. 

The first time I saw this image, it was in color and tweeted by Doctors w/o Borders. This year in my search for that image to share with you, I discovered Giulio Di Sturco, the photographer of "Forgotten People." His photo galleries reach beyond my words. His images demand response. They call us to activate our capacity. 

For me that capacity is prayer. Prayer defies material limits of time, space and financial resources. Prayer flips a limited material picture far better than Bengal Jerome Simpson's front flip touchdown on Christmas Eve. Prayer bears witness to Love meeting every human need. It brings the reality of Love's power into human focus in such amazing ways it is mis-named a miracle. 

In reality, "The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God's unchangeable law."(1)  A miracle  is "That which is divinely natural, but must be learned humanly"(2)  And man is innately able to do precisely that. 

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(1) Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 135:6-8 

(2) Ibid., p. 581:21

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What OS are you using?

INSTALL Love OS

by Unknown* and adapted by Carolyn St.Charles

Tech Support: Customer Care. How may I help you?

Customer: Well, after much consideration, I've decided to install Love OS. Can you guide me through the process?

Tech Support: Yes. I would be happy to help you. Are you ready?

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to find and open My Heart. Have you found My Heart?

Discoverer vs. Founder

At a CS workshop several years ago, the meaning of founder vs. discoverer was discussed in depth. Since that time I have made a distinction between the words. Do you note any distinction between them?

The fact that Christian Science is the universal, divine law of Life, Truth and Love makes it discoverable but not founded or authored humanly. Recognition of this led Mary Baker Eddy to denominate the Church of Christ, Scientist by taking the divinely directed human footsteps to found and establish it.

The distinction may seem unimportant but it follows our Master's command to " "Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons: freely ye received, freely give." -Matthew 10:8 (ASB) It allows Christian Science to be accepted and practiced by anyone of any denomination. It proves with every scientifically wrought healing that Christian Science is is truly universal in its effect. And it frees all to seek the company of fellow students who congregate to worship the one God, good, together.

If today's interest in healing prayer has been encouraged and promoted, according to Christ Jesus's command: "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" -Mark 16:15 (KJV), by Christian Science, then it was not founded by Mrs. Eddy but discovered by her then safeguarded to be freely and publicly demonstrated by the Church of Christ, Scientist she founded.

This clarity has allowed me to share, without the thought of converting another, the "good news" and let the gospel with its proof as elucidated in the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, bring another to the decision of membership in The Mother Church in Boston or local Branch or to remain a demonstrating Christian Science student within their present faith tradition.