The happiest Christmas I ever had

by John Oguta

from the Christian Science Sentinel December 20, 2010

Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Christmas to me is the reminder of God’s great gift,—His spiritual idea, man and the universe,—a gift which so transcends mortal, material, sensual giving that the merriment, mad ambition, rivalry, and ritual of our common Christmas seem a human mockery in mimicry of the real worship in commemoration of Christ’s coming” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 262). Christmas is an outpouring of the Father’s abundant love for all His children.

In addition to reminding us of our own spiritual nature, Christmas proclaims the message that divine Spirit is with us, sustaining, preserving, and guiding us always. In an account of Jesus’ birth, Matthew speaks of this constant nearness of God when he echoes Isaiah: “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us” (Matt. 1:23).

There are many reasons to love the Christmas season and all that it brings: the reunion of families, the joy, happiness, and cheer that demonstrate the deeper spiritual significance of the season and its wonderful promise to humanity. Christmas reminds us of the unconditional love expressed in the life of Christ Jesus, who exemplified generosity and true love for humanity.

A longtime friend, who was studying in the United States, paid me a Christmas visit here in Kenya several years ago, with an idea for a different way for celebrating the festive season. We decided that we would gather with our friends to visit children’s homes (what orphanages are called in Kenya) and to visit with some other friends who were sick. We wanted to be able to give some gifts to these people, as well as to pray with them.

Since my friend had been away from Kenya for four years, he had lost contact with many people, so I agreed to encourage as many friends as I could to participate. Soon, I had mobilized 26 people, including many members of the local Christian Science church.

On a morning before Christmas, we met and agreed to buy some gifts, food, and clothing that we could donate to the people we visited. Once those items had been bought, we visited the Second Reader of our church, who at the time was suffering from stomach ulcers. When she saw us, she was filled with happiness, and told us a group such as ours had never visited her before. We had a grateful, prayer-filled visit together and presented our gifts thereafter. Then our Reading Room librarian turned to Mary Baker Eddy’s poem “Blest Christmas Morn,” the final two verses of which she read to the group:

It was an inspiring way to end the visit. (The Second Reader contacted me six weeks later informing me that she had had a marvelous and complete healing. In fact, she said, that poem was a main contributor to her healing, because it helped her to see that she was the spiritual idea of “living Love”!)

From there, we visited a widow who was bold enough to say she had nothing to eat at the time. We encouraged her to continue loving God regardless of her condition, and also shared some of our gifts with her. As we were leaving, she kept asking God to bless us abundantly, which reminded me of Jesus’ words quoted in the book of Acts: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (20:35). It was a blessing to be able to visit and help that woman!

After that, we visited the Mama Ngina Children’s Home, where we donated food, clothes, and flowers to the orphans living there. They were filled with joy at being able to share in the Christmas spirit. Later, the patron (manager) of the orphanage visited our Sunday church service to give her gratitude. Today she is an active member of our branch church, as well as of The Mother Church.

The last two places we visited were an institution which cares for the elderly and a rehabilitation center for street children. We donated our gifts to them and had wonderful healing conversations in both places. The residents were filled with happiness as we visited with them and joined them in their activities.

We were all grateful to be able to celebrate Christmas with these sometimes-forgotten members of society. Wherever we went, we were able to share the blessings and healing ideas of Christian Science. Before, I had thought of Christmas as a time of sorrow because I didn’t have extra money to buy presents for my family and friends. But this was the happiest Christmas I had ever had! It showed me that this is a season of great joy—a time of God showing His love for humanity, and an opportunity to imitate the unconditional love expressed in the life of Christ Jesus.

This article was published in the December 20, 2010 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel. To learn more about this weekly inspirational magazine, published online and in print, visit HERE.