A Christmas Eve Thought

 

As we meet this morning, it being Christmas Eve, some thoughts relating to this day invaded my mind during the weeks leading up to this day.  I’ll start with a message from 3 Nephi, which reads:

“And it came to pass that in the commencement of the ninety and second year, behold, the prophecies of the prophets began to be fulfilled more fully; for there began to be greater signs and greater miracles wrought among the people.

 

But there were some who began to say that the time was past for the words to be fulfilled, which were spoken by Samuel, the Lamanite.

 

And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore, your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been vain.”

 

Perhaps you were expecting angels to come down and leave messages of glad tidings at this time; however, it only gets worse for them as we read...

 

“Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet.”

 

Try to imagine yourselves going home after today’s meeting, having hope in your hearts, all the while realizing that it might well be your last day in mortality.  Would you be hanging your stockings on the fireplace awaiting Saint Nicolas’ visit or hanging your head wondering why the Lord’s prophets had let you down?

 

Remember, have faith in the Lord, regardless of your circumstances. 

 

“Now it came to pass that when Nephi, the son of Nephi, saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.

 

And it came to pass that he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith in the tradition of their fathers.

 

And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying:

 

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.”

 

Within this short message important lessons are left, we’re reminded…the Book of Mormon was written for us in our day.  We’re to learn and appreciate the history of an ancient people; but why, on this day?

On the other side of the world a similar message was given:

Angels visiting the earth to greet poor shepherds as they watched their flocks by night as found in Luke 2:10 and 11. 

“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord”.

It’s the same message given to Nephi, the son of Nephi, when his heart was exceedingly sorrowful. 

So, here we sit on Christmas Eve, eagerly anticipating the celebration tomorrow brings.  Tomorrow is Christmas Day, the meridian of time as acknowledged by even non-believers. 

“Woke crowd” historians would have us use their updated version of “BC” and “AD”, calling those years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ “BCE”, or Before Common Era and all years following as “CE” or Common Era.  The wicked continue their efforts to erase the miracle of Christ’s birth from the hearts and minds of the world.

Believers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ look forward to the Second Coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  The scriptures have indicated all manner of signs alerting mankind of the “Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord”, many of which have already appeared.  And yet, the wicked continue, laughing at foolish believers who follow “signs given and warnings from Prophets”. 

As we observe and point out their abominations… they create laws which make it illegal to point out their abominations, calling such language “hate speech”.  Those guilty of offending the wicked are vilified, some are even charged with crimes and taken to courts where corrupt judges rule against the righteous…or am I mistaken.

My friend Gary Lewis wrote the other day, “The signs of the times surround us with witness that the latter-days are upon us. All the prophecies are being fulfilled.”  He included a quote from LeGrand Richards from April of 1951:

“If the inhabitants of this earth had the ability and the power to read the signs of the times, they would know that already the Lord has given far more than the darkening of the sun or obscuring the light of the moon or causing the stars to fall from heaven. For what he has accomplished in the establishment of his kingdom in the earth in these latter days, and the unseen power operating in the world for the accomplishment of his purposes, are greater signs than any of these phenomena that we read about—the signs of his coming." 

 

My message to all of you on this Christmas Eve, be of good cheer, have Joy in your hearts.  Be true to your beliefs and continue being faithful to the covenants made with your Father in Heaven.  Along this same line of thought, our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson, in his talk, “Joy and Spiritual Survival”, given October of 2016 reminded us,:

“When the focus of our lives is on Jesus Christ and His gospel, we can feel joy regardless of what is happening—or not happening—in our lives.”

We celebrate with great joy the birth of Jesus Christ; being equally aware of his death, resurrection and the atonement made on our behalf.  We also look forward with great anticipation and joy to His return… with the same faith as our ancestors were looking forward to His arrival the first time.

As I finish my thoughts this Christmas Eve, I wanted to share something from an old movie, The Bishop’s Wife.   At the close of the movie, the Bishop, having been reminded of the true meaning of Christmas, finished his sermon:

“…All the stockings are filled, all that is, except one. And we have even forgotten to have it up.  The stocking for the child born in a manger.  It’s his birthday we’re celebrating.  Don’t let us ever forget that.

Let us ask ourselves what He would wish for most.  And then, let each put in his share, loving kindness, warm hearts, and a stretched-out hand of tolerance. All the shinning gifts that make peace on earth.”

As surely as Jesus Christ was born so many years ago after signs in the Heavens were observed, so surely will the signs be fulfilled announcing the Second Coming of our Savior, even Jesus Christ.  

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.