December 21st marks the longest day of winter – the winter solstice. It marks the moment when nights become shorter and days become longer. From that moment until its summer counterpart, the summer solstice, the earth experiences increasing amounts of light each day.
In the darkest days of winter, it is the birth of the Savior that reminds us that winter will soon end, that spring will soon be here, and that new life will begin. Although it may be weeks or months before the snow melts, the ice thaws and the temperatures rise, we can take hope in the notion that spring is on the way.
Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life...”(John 14:6) By him, life came to the world. Through him, new life is available to all those that believe.
Of the Savior’s birth, President Gordon B Hinkley said this:
“We honor His birth. But without His death that birth would have been but one more birth. It was the redemption which He worked out in the Garden of Gethsemane and upon the cross of Calvary which made His gift immortal, universal, and everlasting. His was a great Atonement for the sins of all mankind. He was the resurrection and the life…... Because of Him all men will be raised from the grave.”
Christmas is a busy and, at times, a very hectic season. Peace and joy come not only through the absence of chaos, but can come in the midst of it. The hustle and bustle will continue. We need to find ways to insulate ourselves from the madness and celebrate the true meaning of the season. When Christ was walking through the crowded throng of people on the busy streets of Jerusalem, he felt that virtue had left him when the woman with the issue of blood touched his robe. He was not so distracted by the noise and the chaos that he was unable to recognize the faith-filled gesture by the stricken woman on that busy byway.
So how can we make Christmas more Christ-centered? We do this not just by hearing, reading, and listening, but by doing.
President Howard W Hunter said:
“This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.”
What wonderful counsel given by our former prophet, President Hunter! What better way to honor the Savior during this Christmas season than to do what he would do if he were here.
We are thankful for the Christmas season to help remind us of the birth, the life, and the Atonement of the Savior, and to inspire us to be better, more charitable people. To lighten someone’s load. To lift someone if they’re feeling weak. To mourn with those that mourn. To comfort those that stand in need of comfort.
We wish you all the best during this wonderful holiday season and pray that the spirit will be with you and your loved ones.
The Redding Stake Presidency
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