It was my turn to write the bishopric message for the ward newsletter in the month of December. It's not perfect, but it's heartfelt.
I love Christmas. It is a time of year during which people’s hearts are more open to the Spirit of God. As the Christmas season moves closer, we instinctively feel closer to the Savior. We open our hearts and minds to the spirit, and wonderful things begin to happen. It is different for all of us. Perhaps, where there was once hate, there is now forgiveness, and where there was once anger, there are now soft words and humility. Where there was indifference to the needs of others, there is now charity and a giving spirit. Where there was despair or loneliness, there are now comfort and hope. Oftentimes we are inspired to do something good for another, or perhaps we create something to benefit others. Much of the beloved Christmas music that we enjoy each year was written under the inspiration of this Christmas spirit. The hymn “Silent Night” is one such example.
At Christmas time we remember the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Isaiah tells us of the greatness of He who would be born in the stable at Bethlehem “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6) His birth was as a light shining forth in darkness, not only in the meridian of time, but also into our pre-mortal past, our own present, and into the eternal future. Isaiah tells us concerning his birth “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” (Isa. 9:2). His light illuminates the path before us, and shows us the stumbling blocks that would impede our progress. His light teaches us truth, gives us strength to endure in the present, and gives us hope for the future.
As we celebrate the birth of the Hope of Israel, I pray that we will share our hope and faith with others during this Christmas season. Find someone to whom you can be a ministering angel. Reach out to those in need, be a light to them in their darkness, and share with them the hope that is within you.
I wish you all a merry Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the Savior together.
