May the good will and peace promised by our Lord Jesus Christ be with you today and always!

The following speaks to me of the simplicity of the spirit of Christ at Christmas: “The spirit of Christmas is joy.  The message of Christmas is hope.  The meaning of Christmas is love.”

At Wide Horizon many of the spaces are festively and colorfully decorated. Uplifting inspirational messages of joy, hope and love have been place throughout the main building. Wonderful good works are performed daily at Wide Horizon.  We pause during our active days here to give gratitude for the continual blessings we receive, including those that come to us from being in selfless service to others.

The world wouldn’t have Christian Science nursing care facilities like Wide Horizon if it were not for the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, Mary Baker Eddy.

Mrs. Eddy practiced Christian care throughout her life. She loved and followed Christ Jesus in thought and deed.  So, I’d like to share an excerpt from one of her writings about the Christmas season.

The following is from “The Significance of Christmas” (The First Church of Christ, Scientist and Miscellany, pp. 259 – 260):

The basis of Christmas is the rock, Christ Jesus; its fruits are inspiration and spiritual understanding of joy and rejoicing…because of fundamental and demonstrable truth, because of the heaven within us.  The basis of Christmas is love loving its enemies, returning good for evil, love that ‘suffereth long, and is kind.’  The true spirit of Christmas elevates medicine to Mind; it casts out evils, heals the sick, raises the dormant faculties, appeals to all conditions, and supplies every need of man.  It leaves hygiene, medicine, ethics, and religion to God and His Christ, to that which is the Way, in word and in deed, — the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

My wish for each of you is that you stand securely on the rock of Christ Jesus during this season of joy, hope, and love –rejoicing in the affluence of our heavenly Father-Mother God and the blessed gift of the Christ.

 

For much of my life one of my favorite scriptural quotes is from The Book of Proverbs. It reads:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct [make smooth or make straight] your paths” (NKJV, Prov. 3:5, 6).

There have been times when I have truly trusted God and the results have been smooth and peaceful. At other times, I’ve taken more human steps or listened to human opinions, while I then navigated and avoided the proverbial potholes of human experience of an arduous path.

The early founders of the United States of America had paths to decide upon and follow. Among them was John Jay, the First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court wrote, “The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.” And his colleague, James Wilson, Original Justice on the Supreme Court, stated, “Human law must rest its authority ultimately upon the authority of that which is Divine.”

I recently read this again: “The more we can rely on each other, the higher we can set our sights.” This statement may be true, but I believe it is better if one and all rely first on God to ultimately see the unlimited nature of spiritual sight. I trust if we seek to see more of what God sees of His spiritual creation, we too will see and experience more goodness brought to light.

At Wide Horizon, it is desired that all staff members strive to practice lovingkindness and spiritual thinking.  No matter what the job is at Wide Horizon, there is daily recognition of Wide Horizon’s primary purpose of Christian Science nursing. And, all team members should freely rely on one another when necessary, for this is loving one another. In enterprises such as athletics, business, education, and healthcare, teamwork is often essential to the attainment of goals, to the success of an endeavor.

Our primary goal at Wide Horizon is the care of and service unto others in need.  Ultimately, we seek spiritual healing. We witness this as we affirm the palpable presence and power of God’s, divine Love’s presence and power.  It is through trusting God with all one’s heart, seeking to understand His creation and listening to Him for daily direction in our activities.

Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Step by step will those who trust Him find that ‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.’” (Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 444)

 

Today (December 7) in the United States is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. My dad served our country in several wars as an officer in the US Army, including WWII as a young soldier. So, today I think fondly of him and appreciatively of all the veterans who strove for freedom and peace.

In the Gospel of John, Christ Jesus promised, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

I believe Christ Jesus knew the ultimate presence of peace must be from God. In his acknowledgement of our heavenly Father as all-powerful, Jesus, our “Way-shower” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy), walked untouched through mobs that wanted to harm him, he stilled storms, and he even remained fearless when he was abandoned by friends and followers before being subsequently persecuted. Yet he steadfastly demonstrated the presence and power of peace and love toward all. Jesus showed us the way!

We too can feel the effect of Christly peace if we turn wholeheartedly to God at this time of worldly confusion. It is the promised peace of Christ that is ever with us. Together let us acknowledge the source of peace that is not of mankind’s making but of divine Love. Let us also know, no matter what shouts for attention, that Christ’s promised peace is ever with all of God’s children and His creation throughout this beautiful planet.

This week and every day, let us seek opportunities to pray as Christ Jesus showed us, knowing that “with God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) Indeed, all of God’s children can dwell together in peace as more of His sons and daughters acknowledge and confirm that the kingdom of heaven is within and reigns.  Let us also acknowledge that “the leaves of the tree [of life are] for the healing of nations.” (Revelation 22:2) And let us remember, in the words of our Master, that when we declare, “Peace, be still” to the storms of erroneous news or aggressive suggestions, and then yield wholeheartedly to divine Love, all shouts of error can be silenced. Then may we see only Love’s work in action. 

With heartfelt gratitude I extend my appreciation for each of you as we strive together in doing good works and having only good thoughts. And, thank you for supporting all good works, including Christian Science nursing, taking place daily throughout the world. 

From all of us at Wide Horizon, may you experience and share peace!

On page 4 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy states: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds.”  

“What we most need…” This is a powerful and loving directive. In my experience, this one statement wholeheartedly accepted in consciousness and actively practiced does heal. From this statement, each of us can recognize the essential need to pray with fervent desire to grow in grace.  We see also that in order to express more patience, humility, love, and goodwill, one must develop a graceful spirit or have a graceful heart. 

The quality of grace expressed in thought and action gives an individual more self-control. This divine attribute – as do qualities of gratitude, joy, hope, faith, and love – opens the door of consciousness to spiritual healing.  No one can have too much growth in grace. We all, our world and mankind must be benefited and blessed beyond measure by practicing more grace.

In my college days I used a number of dictionaries, and one was an Unabridged 20th Century Webster’s, in which there were about 40 definitions for the word “grace.” Three of these definitions are:

1. “The divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection.” (Ancient Greek)
2. “To bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to show mercy, graciously intreat, pray.” (Ancient Hebrew)
3. “God’s favor or help” (Middle English)

The Student’s Reference Dictionary, which has many definitions based on Scriptural citations, indicates that the word “grace” can be a blessing or gratuity. Moreover, the primary sense of “gratus” is free, ready, quick, willing, prompt. Other definitions are: 

1. Kindness, disposition to oblige another.
2. The free, unmerited love and favor of God.
3. The influence of Spirit, in renewing the heart.
4. The application of Christ’s righteousness.
5. A state of reconciliation to God.
6. Virtuous affection.
7. Spiritual instruction, improvement, edification.

In reference to spiritual power, Mrs. Eddy wrote, “Grace and Truth are potent beyond all other means and methods” (Science and Health, p. 67).  

Grace coupled with Truth, therefore, is a divine power that each child of God can turn to and rely upon. Graceful and truthful thinking is truly powerful, giving one confidence to have dominion over whatever may seem to need healing – be it an acute bodily function, a so-called chronic condition, a negative character trait, an injury or an accident. 

At Wide Horizon, I feel strongly the dedicated workers here have hearts which desire such right thinking and doing in our service through the activity of Christian Science nursing. Also, I believe we will find, that when we continually wear the garment of humility and grace, Love will bless us and lead us to do greater deeds, which in turn blesses others and all mankind. And, through the grace of God, we will experience peace!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving during these unprecedented times, we can find moments in each day to acknowledge the blessings that are evident.  These blessings may include: appreciating a country founded on principles of equality and individual freedom; having the opportunity to succeed and be happy; living in vibrantly beautiful Colorado; being safe in the Kingdom of Heaven; having dear friends; being thankful for family; witnessing God’s bountiful provision which includes harmony and health.

We can be grateful for all those who serve and those who are on the frontlines, knowing selfless service makes a difference in many lives. We can be grateful for Wide Horizon and all that it represents. We can be thankful for the smallest symbol of kindness. We can fill our hearts with gratitude, for heartfelt gratitude is a key to healing and spiritual progress.

“Progress” is also a blessing of Spirit. Here are several references from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy.

“The discoverer of Christian Science finds the path less difficult when she has the high goal always before her thoughts, than when she counts her footsteps in endeavoring to reach it.  When the destination is desirable, expectation speeds our progress.” (S&H p. 426) 

“…progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfill.” (S&H p. 233)  

“To ascertain our progress, we must learn where our affections are placed and whom we acknowledge and obey as God.” (S&H p. 239)

“Progress takes off human shackles.” (S&H p. 256)

“Progress is born of experience.” (S&H p. 296)

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” (S&H 506)

May each of you have continual spiritual progress and a grateful heart!

“A grateful heart a garden is… A grateful heart a fortress is… A grateful heart a temple is… a grateful heart that loves and blesses all.” – Ethel Wasgatt Dennis

“Love one another.” – Christ Jesus

“O, give thanks unto the Lord.” – Psalm 136

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise.” – Psalm 100

“Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.” – Denis Waitley

“Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.  Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.” – Henri Frederic Amiel

“Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.” – Desiderius Erasmus 

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him: rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” – Apostle Paul

“Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always…” – Christ Jesus

Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, — a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise!
~ George Herbert 

May we see with the lens of gratitude! May we know the abundance of God’s gracious Love for all His children!  May we feel the embrace of this divine Love!