“The life of the Savior, the meaning of Christmas and how they are still relevant today.” That was the topic I was given to speak on this past Sunday. What a tender blessing it was to reflect on the many ways the Savior’s life, example and Atonement have blessed my life, especially at this special time of year when we sometimes get overwhelmed with the busyness of the season. I would like to share a portion of my talk with you. The words in the third verse of the Christmas hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” are so beautiful. They tell of the most beautiful gift that has ever been given to this world and remind us that it is up to each of us to let Him in:
“How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is giv’n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav’n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.”
The wondrous gift our Heavenly Father gave us was His Son, Jesus Christ. While the ultimate gift is the Atonement, the Savior’s life is a most wondrous gift. The wondrous gift of the Savior often comes silently and personally to us. “Where meek souls will receive Him, still the dear Christ enters in.” I love the reference to meek souls. Meekness is one of the Savior’s attributes. As soon as we are meek enough, He will enter. And He is always there, waiting for us to let Him in.
We are all familiar with the Savior’s interaction with the rich young man who asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. The Savior told him that he needed to obey the commandments, to which the young man replied that he had done so all his life. We can each put ourselves in this young man’s place as we read the piercing words the Savior said next, found in Luke 18:22:
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
In essence, the Savior told him to give up what was holding him back – his riches. What is our “one thing” that is holding us back?
Continuing in verse 23:
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. (Insert your own adjective here)
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches (or stubbornness or pride or whatever our “one thing” is) enter into the kingdom of God!
Those who were listening then questioned the Savior about who could be saved. I love His response!
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.
How grateful I am that the Savior taught how not only eternal life is possible but also happiness in this often very difficult life. It is possible by heeding those simple yet profound words, “Come, follow me.” A similar invitation found in Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 27:27, “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.”
Russell M. Nelson, in the 2013 Christmas Devotional said, “As our great Exemplar, Jesus taught us how to live, to love, and to learn. He taught us how to pray, to forgive, and endure to the end. He taught us how to care about others more than we care about ourselves. He taught us about mercy and kindness—making real changes in our lives through His power. He taught us how to find peace of heart and mind. One day, we will stand before Him as our just Judge and merciful Master. These sacred responsibilities of the Lord cause us to adore Him as our personal and perennial Prince of Peace.”
His power is what makes it possible for us to change our hearts and our ways.
The Savior’s power was evident in the miracles He performed. When He lived on the earth, He healed the sick, the lame, the blind, the deaf. He offers to each of us those very same miracles today. When I have come to Him in faith, He has healed me when I have been spiritually sick, spiritually lame, spiritually blind, spiritually deaf. I love the promise that even if we are spiritually dead, He can heal us.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said it like this, “However many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”
I hope that every day of my life the Savior’s life and love have a great impact on me! There have been several occasions when I could not have survived without Him.
In this year’s Christmas Devotional, Elder David A. Bednar declared, “In every season of our lives, in all of the circumstances we may encounter, and in each challenge we may face, Jesus Christ is the light that dispels fear, provides assurance and direction, and engenders enduring peace and joy.”
That is why the life of the Savior and the meaning of Christmas are still relevant today.
I am so grateful for the most wondrous gift of the Savior, Jesus Christ!
Merry Christmas!