One of my favorite Hymns. This is the Christ, a deep, meditative melody that reaches into some of the deepest recesses of all this earthly turmoil and whispers the sweet assurances that everything is in hand. During this Christmas time, with all of its fast paced commercialism and heartfelt gift-giving and shopping, it is so easy to lose sight of the wonderful blessing that is ours, and indeed the very reason that we celebrate this time of year when the days are shorter and the nights colder.
The Babe of Bethlehem, the Son of Man, the Child of Mary, it is at this time of year that we celebrate the life, and more specifically the birth, of the most powerful and wonderful being to walk this earth. “He who ransoms us with love divine” sings the sacred strains of the holy music. At this time of year, may we be lead to exclaim as this song does: “I feel his love, the price he paid…” for it is at this time of year, more than any other, that we should stop and look at the wonderful blessings that currently surround us. At this time of year when our families draw closer to us, our hearts tend to open wider, and our faith in humanity is restored somewhat as we see the charity and hope extended to those downtrodden throughout the rest of the year. Eyes darkened with sadness lighten as unspoken acts of kindness bring the bright rays of excitement to an otherwise dark and despondent world.
I believe that Christmas is a time of year that Satan’s host truly despises, and indeed, works harder to thwart the Great plan than any other time of the year. Such can be seen in the lack of spirituality and a focus on Santa Clause and gifts. Children’s eyes are generally cast down to the base of the tree in anticipation of presents wrapped in jolly blues, and greens, and very little red, rather than lifting up to fixate on the star adorning the top of the tree. Parents focus on giving their children and friends more than they received, in a generous but misguided feeling of charity. Perhaps the Christmases that have meant the most, or been the most beneficial have been those that have had little under the tree. In those seasons of trial we are forced to learn the true reason for our celebrations.
While I may not be considered a wise man, I’m still following His star, and it has brought me peace, stability, and hope throughout my tumultuous trials. I love this time of year, when nostalgia and a child-like excitement awakens within me, and carols ring out in the cold winter air. I urge you that beneath the silver bells and choruses of Rudolph to make room for the Christ Child in your celebrations. If you are struggling with questions of faith, matters of a more physical nature, or weaknesses of carnal or spiritual nature, remember the gift of this Holy Birth and find peace and hope in its implications. It is at this time of year that we are bidden to forget our burdens, open our hearts and do as the shepherds were bidden to come and see the Christ Child.
Heavenly Father has given us so much in this life, our family, our friends, our homes, and most importantly, our agency through the ultimate gift of His son, Jesus Christ. All of our celebrations, our joys, even our very existences would be nullified without that first Christmas. Without the birth of the Christ child, our lives would have been rendered meaningless, for no matter what one achieves in this life, if there were no sacrifice made, no Ultimate Gift given, then when our lives had finished our achievements would linger on past our lives and then they too would dwindle and die. Now, with the blessings of the Atonement upon our lives we are made eternal creatures of Celestial worth, and all those things in our lives that are truly of worth have been made to endure forever as well. We have so much more for us to celebrate this time of year than the blinking lights and wrapped packages! While we hear this so often that it has become somewhat cliché, it is one of the greatest presents that we have ever received or will ever receive. A Christmas without Christ will always be hollow and cheapened, whereas the presence of our Savior’s memory in our homes will always keep alive the true spirit of the season.
I love all who read these words, and wish you a Merry Christmas filled with the loving Spirit of our Heavenly Father to bless your homes with peace and happiness throughout the coming year. I urge all who are struggling to feel the sacred nature of this time of year to seek diligently, so that you too can testify “This is the Christ” that He may be the Healer of your soul as He has been, and still is of mine. I give you a promise that as you seek to truly feel the real spirit of Christmas, that quiet glow that accompanied this festive season in your childhood will again return, indeed it will be magnified as you see the reflection of the joy and the warmth of our Savior’s love spilling over and reflecting in the eyes of those around you who will be uplifted by your presence. Celebrate His birth at this time and look forward to that time when He shall come again, and the Angels shall sing as they did before:
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Let us begin our pilgrimage to find the babe in the manger anew for the coming year. Let us seek our “wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” and receive the blessings inherent to serving such a being. This is my humble Christmas prayer, Merry Christmas everyone.
