My Favorite Things of Christmas, Part 2

Another of my favorite things about Christmas is reflected in this statement given by President Hinckley at the LDS Christmas Devotional in 2000, 

“There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter."

This one simple line emphasizes with perfection the true reason for our celebrations this month.

He also said, "The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.”

“Marvelous is the chronicle that began with the singing of angels at Bethlehem and ended on Golgotha’s cruel cross.” 

In President Monson’s talk at this year’s Christmas devotional, he spoke of the “annual commercialization of Christmas” pointing out that Christmas was “becoming less and less about Christ.” It is true, the adversary is working hard to have religion removed from Christmas. 

I love how simply President Monson said

“And yet, Christmas is what we make of it.” 

Elder Uchtdorf reminded us that

“A meaningful Christmas celebration is something 

only we can get for ourselves.”

I have thought about President Monson’s suggestion that we “establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will help us capture and keep the spirit of Christmas." Wondering what more my family can do, I feel impressed that 

instead of more, we can do less 

and perhaps we will find at least “an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this, the Son of God” as President Hinckley suggested so many years ago.

My Favorite Things of Christmas

My favorite things of Christmas always begin with remembering Mary, the mother of Jesus…

…and pondering her feelings as she witnessed the humble surroundings of her Savior’s birth. As a young girl, she learned from the writings of Isaiah and had faith in the promise of a Savior. She looked to his coming with anticipation. But to learn she was the woman who would bear God’s son, to know the responsibility that was on her shoulders, I cannot help but wonder if she at all felt unsure about bringing the Savior into the world in a stable, with a manger for his bed. I wonder if she felt that perhaps she might have failed in her calling or disappointed our Father in Heaven.

If the King of Kings is to be born in this stable, who will know of his birth?

I believe Joseph was a tender mercy to Mary at that time…I believe as the primary song says, he must have taken “great care,” and that he truly was “awed to be the guardian of Mary’s sacred child.” I am sure he “held the little Jesus close, that Holy night.” I have also begun to wonder if Joseph too, might have had the same fears I think Mary might have felt.

Is Jesus truly to be born in a stable? Is this what God meant to be?

That same night, God sent angels to meek and lowly shepherds. They were the ones humble enough to hear the divine message. They would believe it, obey it and share it. I love the Christmas carol “Angels We Have Heard on High” because it brings to life what the conversation might have been like between the shepherds and the many travelers whom they passed when following the star that night. Imagine the shepherds saying as they ran through the streets of Bethlehem: “Angels we have heard on high sweetly singing o'er the plains, and the mountains in reply echoing their joyous strains.” The people with whom they passed might have asked: “Shepherds, why this jubilee? Why your joyous strains prolong? What the gladsome tidings be which inspire your heavenly song?” And the shepherds not only testify, but also invite their new friends:

“Come to Bethlehem and see Christ whose birth the angels sing;

Come, adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.”

And as many who followed the shepherds to the stable, and worshiped with them their King, were tender mercies to Mary and Joseph, letting them know that 

Yes, this was right.

This little piece of the nativity story teaches me a lesson of faith in God’s plan. It also gives me courage. I certainly have my moments of doubt, where I think, is this God’s plan for me? Am I doing the right things with my life? I also look at my children and wonder is this God’s plan for them, am I doing the right things for them?. I do not claim to be as “highly favored of the Lord” as Mary was, but this story teaches me, that like Mary, as a mother of his children, God is watching over my family and sending tender mercies to let us know, 

Yes, this is right. 

We may not pray as often as we should, or hold family home evening the way we should, but God knows me, and my family, and he knows we do our very best to teach our children to love and honor Him and the Savior. And because of our best efforts, he is guiding our path down his plan for us. 

Mary has long been a favorite person of the scriptures for me. When the angel came to Mary and told her she would bear the son of God, she responded “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” I have strived to be as willing as Mary was, to serve in whatever capacities I have been asked. She was an example to me, first as a missionary, but in every aspect of my life since that time. Mary’s willingness to serve and the humility with which she accepted her calling, I have learned much and have been greatly inspired by her.