Welcome back. So happy you're joining us for today's Encore Christian Science Daily Lift.

Sharing with us is Judy Wolfe. Judy's a Christian Science practitioner and teacher from Arlington, Virginia.

The first year I was married, I was stunned to learn that I'd have to work straight through

Christmas and miss celebrating it altogether.

I held a management job in a large retail store.

As the newest tire, I was assigned the night shift during the Christmas season,

and on Christmas Eve, we would start working during the day

and go straight through until Christmas morning without any time off.

There were also problems with my team, and we were behind in our work. My boss was

unhappy with me, too, and I mentally condemned the staff. I had a constant headache due to stress

and sleeplessness. I prayed that God would deliver me

from that job. So I was startled when, in response to my prayer, a thought came that I needed to be

delivered from myself, from self-righteousness and self-pity.

I thought about the real meaning of Christmas, the gift of Christ to humanity.

Didn't Jesus provide the perfect example of utter selflessness, of devout dedication to loving others.

Couldn't I begin in some way to follow in his footsteps?

It dawned on me that I could celebrate Christmas by looking for God's expression reflected in each person with whom I worked.

As I started to do this, the headache disappeared.

I began to appreciate my staff and my joy returned.

We became more productive and my boss commented on the progress. We even enjoyed a

special dinner together Christmas night. I really felt that Christmas had been a true celebration of

the Christ and God, who is divine love, and the source of our spiritual

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