A Christmas pilgrimage…2000 years later

Presents wrapped? Check!
Suitcases packed? Check!
Gas in the car? Check!
Work emails sent? Check!
Schoolwork done? Check…mostly…good enough!

The to-do list was cleared off, and I was ready to go. The next morning, my husband and I were leaving to drive from Massachusetts to Virginia to spend Christmas with my family. I couldn’t have been more excited. It had been a long semester; I had been working hard; and I was ready for a Christmas vacation filled with a whole lot of family and a whole lot of laughter. The only problem? Those flu symptoms that I had been half-heartedly praying about weren’t really getting any better. In fact, as I got ready for bed, I felt downright lousy.

I lay down in bed and closed my eyes, trying to block out the swirl of nagging doubts and frustrations.

Why hadn’t I stopped what I was doing earlier to really pray about this? Why hadn’t I called a Christian Science practitioner when I hadn’t made progress on my own? Would we have to delay our trip? Would I feel miserable for Christmas? If Mary could make a pilgrimage to Bethlehem, nine months pregnant, on a camel, couldn’t I make an 8-hour trip to Virginia, very much not pregnant, in a Honda Civic?

Wait, what?

Somewhere in the midst of my self-flagellation and worry, a tiny glimmer of light shone through. I couldn’t help it: I just started to laugh.

As I usually do during the Christmas season, I had spent a lot of time that Christmas pondering the Christmas story in the Bible, and cherishing the coming of Christ to human consciousness. Of course, the worry and fear that had dominated my thoughts for most of the day hadn’t exactly had that spirit of Christmas inspiration. But then, right when I’d needed it, a healing message of humor, hope, and faith crept in and pushed away all the darkness. It certainly wasn’t my own doing—I was busy beating myself up! But I knew it was what I’d been celebrating that Christmas season: it was the Christ, God’s dear love for each one of Her children that lifts us up, out of suffering and sin, right when we need it the most.

After I stopped giggling over the humorous nature of that Christ-message, I began to appreciate its deeper healing message. Just as Mary and Joseph had learned to trust completely in God, and to see God’s love for them manifested in practical ways, I had learned that lesson in my life as well. I could have the same expectancy of good and trust in God’s love for me as I went about my travels. My fears vanished. I fell asleep, woke up refreshed and joyful, and enjoyed the driving time with my husband.

That night was my Christmas moment—a guiding star that led me directly to the Christ, to the truth of my being. The time spent with family, delicious treats, and gifts unwrapped weren’t insignificant. But they were that much sweeter after I glimpsed the true meaning of Christmas.