Christ and Christmas
an illustrated poem by Mary Baker Eddy
and its role
 in scientific and spiritual development.

The book, Christ and Christmas, contains a single poem. Fifteen of its verses are authored by Mary Baker Eddy. These verse are associated with eleven illustrative paintings.  Sometimes two verses are associated with a painting. In this case the painting presents two distinct scenes which are interrelated and cannot stand in isolation.  At the very end of the book, a sixteenth verse has been added by Mary Baker Eddy, made up of biblical texts, the origin of which is attributed to Christ Jesus. This last verse has no illustrative painting. Evidently, one can only illustrate the unfolding of the infinite to a certain point. The last page of infinite unfolding will never be written, because the unfolding of the infinite never ends.

Note: Please click on the picture for a higher resolution version

 

1

Fast circling on, from zone to zone
Bright, blest, afar, - 
O'er the grim night of chaos shone 
One lone, brave star.

Star of Bethlehem

O'er the grim night of chaos shone 
One lone, brave star.

 

2 
In tender mercy, Spirit sped 
A loyal ray 
To rouse the living, wake the dead, 
And point the Way -
 

3
The Christ-idea, God anoints - 
Of Truth and Life; 
The Way in Science He appoints, 
That stills all strife.



(part 1) ------------ Christ Healing ------------- (part 2)

The Way in Science He appoints, 
That stills all strife.

4

What the Beloved knew and taught, 
Science repeats, 
Through understanding, dearly sought, 
With fierce heart-beats;

Seeking and Finding

Through understanding, dearly sought, 
With fierce heart-beats;

 

5 
Thus Christ, eternal and divine, 
To celebrate 
As Truth demands, - this living Vine 
Ye demonstrate. 
 

6
For heaven's Christus, earthly Eves, 
By Adam bid, 
Make merriment on Christmas eves, 
O'er babe and crib.



(part 1) ------------ Christmas Eve ------------- (part 2)

Make merriment on Christmas eves, 
O'er babe and crib.

7

Yet wherefore signalize the birth 
Of him ne'er born? 
What can rehearse the glorious worth 
Of his high morn?

 

Christmas Morn

What can rehearse the glorious worth 
Of his high morn?

 

8 
Christ was not crucified - that doom 
Was Jesus' part; 
For Sharon's rose must bud and bloom 
In human heart. *

*"God was manifest in the flesh." - St. Paul. 
 

9 
Forever present, bounteous, free, 
Christ comes in gloom; 
And aye, with grace towards you and me, 
For health makes room.




(part 1) ------------ Christian Science Healing ------------- (part 2)

And aye, with grace towards you and me, 
For health makes room.


10

Thus olden faith's pale star now blends 
In seven-hued white! 
Life, without birth and without end, 
Emitting light!

 

I thank thee O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. - Christ Jesus

 Life, without birth and without end, 
Emitting light!


11

The Way, the Truth, the Life - His word - 
Are here, and now 
Christ's silent healing, heaven heard, 
Crowns the pale brow.

 

Treating the sick


 Christ's silent healing, heaven heard, 
Crowns the pale brow.

 

12 
For Christian Science brings to view 
The great I Am, - 
Omniscient power, - gleaming through 
Mind, mother, man.
 

13 
As in blest Palestina's hour, 
So in our age, 
'T is the same hand unfolds His power, 
And writes the page. 



(part 1) ------------ Christian Unity ------------- (part 2)

'T is the same hand unfolds His power, 
And writes the page. 

14

To-day, as oft, away from sin 
Christ summons thee! 
Truth pleads to-night: Just take Me in! 
No mass for Me!

 

Truth versus Error

 Truth pleads to-night: Just take Me in! 
No mass for Me!

15

No blight, no broken wing, no moan, 
Truth's fane can dim; 
Eternal swells Christ's music-tone, 
In heaven's hymn.

 

The Way
 Eternal swells Christ's music-tone, 
In heaven's hymn.

At this point in Mary Baker Eddy's book 
the complete poem and its Glossary are inserted

No painting has been provided for the final scene, for what lies in the as yet unseen beyond the leading edge of science, in the absolute realm that will forever be new.

(Beyond The Way)

16

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my
works unto the end, to him will I give power
over the nations:
And I will give him the MORNING STAR. 
- Christ Jesus

Mary Baker Eddy and James F. Gilman, Artists

Return to On-Line Index