Tomorrow is Christmas - a magical time of year. I love this time of year and what it represents. However, Christmas has become too commercialized and there seems to be more thoughts in the hearts of mankind about Santa and the gifts he will "bring" on Christmas than a focus on the real reason for Christmas - the birth of the Christ child. Instead of what Santa will bring, I'd like to reflect on what Christ "brought" into the world when he entered as a newborn babe and then grew into the Savior of the world.
The number one thing that I think of that Christ "brought" into the world is light. It all began with a new star in the heavens announcing to the shepherds the birth of Christ.
Christ is literally the light of the world. Without Him, the world would be shrouded in darkness just as it was when He was crucified and there was darkness for three days here on the American Continent. The light of the world (Christ) had gone out and the light didn't return until Christ was resurrected on the third day. When we have "dark" days in our lives, through seeking Christ and inviting Him into our lives, His light will help our dark days turn bright. Just knowing that God can lighten our burdens is a huge incentive to having a relationship with Him. I pray that people all over the world can have the opportunity to find Him, know Him, and accept Him so their lives can be illuminated with the light of Christ.
Another thing that Christ "brought" into the world is peace. He is called "The Prince of Peace" in the Book of Isaiah in the Bible.
Peace can be described in many different ways - i.e. peace in the world where there is no turmoil or strife; peace in the human heart where walls of hostility are broken down and healed; peace of mind where you know that everything will turn out ok and that God is watching over you and knows your every need. I love all of these different types of peace, but peace of mind holds the most meaning to me because my Patriarchal Blessing tells me that I will have "peace of mind and the blessings that accompany it". I have truly seen that part of my Patriarchal Blessing be fulfilled. I have always had peace of mind about things. I don't worry too much about things because I know that God will keep his promises and that everything will turn out well in the end.
We were recently asked in Relief Society what our favorite name for Christ is, for He has many. Besides "Prince of Peace", one of my favorite names for Him is "Advocate". I love that name because one day He will be my advocate with the Father. He is the person who will plead with the Father for leniency for all the mistakes I have made in my life. Through Christ's atonement, we can receive forgiveness. Only Christ has lived a perfect life, so we all need Him to be an advocate for us - to vouch for us as being worthy of living in our Father's presence. Christ is my biggest cheerleader. I want Him on my side. Don't you?
One last thing I will mention that Christ "brought" into the world is hope.
In reference to Christ, the last paragraph of "The Living Christ" says "He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the the matchless gift of His divine son." I wholeheartedly pledge my love and allegiance to Jesus Christ who paved the way for me to return to my Father. My hope is, and always will be, in Christ! No worldly gift that Santa Clause can deliver on Christmas can even remotely compare with the gifts Christ gave to the world at His birth and still continues to bestow upon the children of God on a daily basis.
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