Magical Times

We have arrived at a very beautiful and magical time of year. There is this exciting buzz about the air in anticipation of Christmas. This time of year always seems like we all have a very exciting secret that we all keep and can’t wait for the surprise to happen. This excitement almost seems contagious and spreads so easily among one another. Brothers and Sisters it is Christmas time!

All around us there are Christmas trees decorated with colorful ornaments that each have a special meaning or just fill empty spaces. They all hold a special memory of a child's birth, Milestone in life, or even a hard year that was conquered. The mantles hang cute decorative stockings each representing the family members in the home ready to be stuffed full of goodies. Under the tree there are boxes wrapped in beautiful colored papered and bows ready to be torn apart by eager hands, The city twinkles with lights all around whether from the tree, your neighbors over decorated house, or the stars shining in the sky.

Thinking about Christmas I came upon a talk that was in the December 2012 edition of the Liahona that President Monson gave and I found a poem that i would like to share with you

I am the Christmas Spirit—

I enter the home of poverty, causing pale faced children to open their eyes wide, in pleased wonder.

I cause the mister’s clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.

I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the old glad way.

I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood, and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.

I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.

I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears—tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.

I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been and pointing forward to good days yet to be.

I come softly into the still, white home of pain, and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.

In a thousand ways, I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.

I am the Christmas Spirit.1

The Christmas spirit truly does cause much happiness in times of sadness and hope to those who have none but I have come to see that Christmas turns our hearts and our minds to the little babe that was born to save us and our Heavenly Father who sent him here to us. It truly does cause us “the weary world” to remember something greater and more loving. Heber J Grant once said that the story of Jesus is a story of old that ever remains new. The oftener I read of His life and labors the greater is the Joy, the peace, the happiness, the satisfaction that fills my soul.

Christmas has come down to us as a day of thanksgiving and rejoicing, a day of good cheer and good will to men, Although it has an earthly relation and significance, it is divine in content. Every year during the christmas season we are reminded of how truly blessed we are to have Christ in our lives, He offers joy, hope, faith, love and salvation to each one of us expecting so little in return. No wonder the Christmas season seems so full of magic. Each christmas we get together as families and share gifts to others, a roof over a lonely persons head or a warm meal to get them through the night. As we grow older we are less and less excited about receiving and more and more excited about giving. What I love most about this time of year is the reminder of how important family is and how we try harder to be with family.

The most amazing part of Christmas is being reminded that we were given the most amazing of gifts long long ago. It was not wrapped in a pretty sparkling bow and paper or put under a shimmering Christmas tree. He was wrapped in swaddling clothing and placed in a manger. If we think about Christ and his entrance in to this world it was very simple and so is Christ's love for us. Just imagine the excitement the world felt that day Christ entered this world and became part of us. The prophets had prophesied years and years about the coming of Christ and for years people waited and waited until at last it did happen. Imagine that all the anticipation of generations of people coming true in one night and the feeling that swept throughout the nation. The spirit speaking to all the believers and nonbelievers of the birth of a Savior. The buzz of excitement, the anticipation of something that is coming, it is almost like the Christmas season but much stronger. The Christmas season not only reminds us of our love for Christ and our Heavenly Father but it also strengthens our love and devotion to them. We have truly been given the most amazing gift, the gift of all gifts, we just need to receive this gift with open arms and heart.

As our year ends we reflect upon the choices we have made throughout the year, we remember the happy moments spent learning a new talent, watching our children reach those amazing milestones or remembering the loved ones that passed on or the mistakes we had made that caused pain and heartache. We are reminded that our saviour came to this earth to save us, he gave us repentance and eternal love. The celebration of the birth of Christ reminds us of the newness of a new year and the ability to forgive and move on to a better stronger year. I love listening to christmas music that speaks of the baby jesus. Each time one comes on I get goose bumps all over my arms and i just want to sing as loud as i can, and i do much to my families delight, Christ is born! He is my saviour! Hallelujah! What greater time to celebrate! Each song that is sung of Jesus reminds me of hope and love. It gives me strength to face another year no matter how long or hard it might be. President Monson also spoke of us giving a gift to our saviour in return. He suggests that we render ourselves obedient and less selfish or quarrelsome, that we give more of ourselves and ask less of others, that we remember to truly “love one another” our hearts should be gladdened, we should have kind words to say, deeds to be done, and souls to save. The Christmas season opens so many opportunities for us to share the gospel and the wonder of our Savior gift to us.

In the beginning God called for light, and the stars were made according to his word. They are here tonight, flecks of light silver and Gold.

And once again Heavens Voice is heard.

But this is a new star, its light will never dim.

Others fill the sky tonight, But this one leads to Him.

As we look at our beautiful sparkling trees and watch our families and friends tear joyously at the gifts we must remember that this is a beautiful time of year to celebrate our Savior Jesus Christ. Because of Him we are able to know that we will be with our families for eternity, that we are loved and given second chances,That miracles really do happen. It is a time to enjoy and be happy and remember that our love for Heavenly Father and for Jesus Christ can be so much stronger the next year and that we may be ending a year where we did our best to draw closer to him, this new year is full of hope and promise. If we remember our promise to never forget him and open our hearts to him we could have the best year ever! I know that if we just open our minds and our hearts and forgive ourselves that the saviour will enter in and heal those broken wounds. I know that through faith and diligence we will learn the true and great  love that we have yet to realize and true happiness will finally enter in.  It does not matter what house we live in, what little food we have on our table, what we give or receive this holiday season, what matters is that we remember the greatest love and gift given to us this holiday season.