Do we and are we remembering Christ in Christmas?

We just got done celebrating Christmas. Did we have the true meaning of Christmas this year? Here is something that we might consider throughout the year and prepare ourselves for next year.

In homes throughout the modern world, stockings are still “hung by the chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there” (“A Visit from St. Nicholas,” Clement Clarke Moore). But, oddly enough, one stocking seems to be missing. Perhaps it has never even been considered. I speak of a stocking for the Babe of Bethlehem. Of all people central to the Christmas scene, only His stocking seems to have been forgotten. It doesn’t seem quite right, inasmuch as it is His birthday that we are celebrating.

Just as there was no room for the Christ child at the inn at the time of His birth, with so many people, there is no place for Him in their hearts. The world He came to save has been so filled with trivia that little room has been left for the Lord and His righteousness. Many people have made room for sports and recreation, trinkets and toys, but the Prince of Peace—the Savior of mankind—is often forgotten.

At Christmastime we exchange gifts, but what have we done to show our appreciation to Him who created the entire earth with all of its beauty and abundance? How could we ignore Him who gave us life and all that sustains life? These priceless gifts come from Him. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could improve our ways—as a gift to Him at Christmastime? If His stocking has been empty in our minds, what could we now give?

Jesus came to the earth to do what we could not do for ourselves. He brought hope, peace, light and understanding to a dark and ignorant world. The miracle of His Resurrection gives real meaning to His birth.

The great message of Christmas is not in the birth of Jesus Christ but in His death for us. The message of Christmas would be nothing without the message of Easter. But our knowledge of the Savior and Redeemer is meaningless unless we obey Him, keep His commandments and qualify for all the blessings that He has in store for the faithful.

We need to have Christ in our lives every day. So, let us hang that stocking at Christmas time having filled it with good deeds, acts of kindness, daily prayers, scripture study, teaching our children, grandchildren and friends to become ministers of Christ. May our minds and hearts be full of gratitude for what the Lord has given us - that great “GIFT OF LIFE.”

Let us remember every day, not just Christmas or Easter, what Christ does for us. May we become true disciples of Christ and feed his SHEEP.

Sherman Smith is the Counselor of the Seeley Lake Branch Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

 

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