[Page 160.] most marvel at the power and permanence of affection [1] under the _régime_ of Christian Science! Never did grati- tude and love unite more honestly in uttering the word _thanks_, than ours at this season. But a mother’s love behind words has no language; it may give no material [5] token, but lives steadily on, through time and circum- stance, as part and paramount portion of her being. Thus may our lives flow on in the same sweet rhythm of head and heart, till they meet and mingle in bliss super- nal. There is a special joy in knowing that one is gaining [10] constantly in the knowledge of Truth and divine Love. Your progress, the past year, has been marked. It satis- fies my present hope. Of this we rest assured, that every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger and firmer in understanding and obedience. [15] Lovingly yours, MARY BAKER G. EDDY CHAPTER VI. SERMONS. [Page 161.] A Christmas Sermon Delivered in Chickering Hall, Boston, Mass., on the Sunday Before Christmas, 1888 SUBJECT: _The Corporeal and Incorporeal Saviour_ TEXT: _For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the_ [5] _government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called_ _Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The_ _Prince of Peace._—ISAIAH ix. 6. To the senses, Jesus was the son of man: in Science, man is the son of God. The material senses could [10] not cognize the Christ, or Son of God: it was Jesus’ approximation to this state of being that made him the Christ-Jesus, the Godlike, the anointed. The prophet whose words we have chosen for our text, prophesied the appearing of this dual nature, as [15] both human and divinely endowed, the personal and the impersonal Jesus. The only record of our Master as a public benefactor, or personal Saviour, opens when he was thirty years of age; owing in part, perhaps, to the Jewish law that none [20] should teach or preach in public under that age. Also, it is natural to conclude that at this juncture he was specially endowed with the Holy Spirit; for he was given the new name, Messiah, or Jesus Christ,—the God- [Page 162.] anointed; even as, at times of special enlightenment, [1] Jacob was called Israel; and Saul, Paul. The third event of this eventful period,—a period of such wonderful spiritual import to mankind!—was the advent of a higher Christianity. [5] From this dazzling, God-crowned summit, the Naza- rene stepped suddenly before the people and their schools of philosophy; Gnostic, Epicurean, and Stoic. He must stem these rising angry elements, and walk serenely over their fretted, foaming billows. [10] Here the cross became the emblem of Jesus’ history; while the central point of his Messianic mission was peace, good will, love, teaching, and healing.