The baby in the manger was the Son of God, sent as a gift from the Father to become our Savior. Through the joy we feel because of His coming, our burdens can be made light (see Alma 33:23). That is because the babe of Bethlehem who delivers us from sin and death can also deliver us from sorrow, doubt, fear, and pain.
You recall the words Jacob taught about the coming of the Holy One of Israel:
“O how great the holiness of our God! For he knoweth all things, and there is not anything save he knows it.
“And he cometh into the world that he may save all men if they will hearken unto his voice; for behold, he suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children, who belong to the family of Adam.
“And he suffereth this that the resurrection might pass upon all men, that all might stand before him at the great and judgment day” (2 Nephi 9:20–22).
To have the Christmas spirit, we not only read His words and study His life but also act upon what we learn. That includes feeding the Savior’s sheep by gathering them to His fold. We gather as we share the joy we feel because of His birth and because of the Restoration of His gospel. If we are on the path the Lord has designed for us, we will have His light to show others the way to Him.
Life can be difficult, and hard times can threaten our faith. When we confront trial and tragedy, we may wonder if our faith in God’s Son is a vain hope. But trials are designed to draw us toward the Savior so that He can make us better able to lift others to Him. As we share the “good cheer” (3 Nephi 1:13) of His coming, we lift heads and soften hearts. I promise that the day will come, if it has not already, when your faith in His coming will be confirmed. That will be a happy day.
Christmas is a time of love, hope, and joy. It is also a time of gratitude and reflection. During Christmas we make new memories and relive old ones. We miss family and friends who have passed on. We wonder where the years have gone and what the new year will bring. And in the midst of our reverie, we give gratitude to God for the glorious gift “called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
