About this time last year, we were doing some shopping at a local department store, and noticed on the jewelry counter a new display. They were CTR rings-- the official ring used by churches to encourage and remind people to Choose The Right. In a catalog we found Choose The Right shirts, and baseball caps, as well. We thought this was a nice thing to see.
Just a few weeks ago I ran across the “Family Circus” comic in the Sunday paper. It showed one of the little children desiring the last, large piece of cake. His mother reminded him “What would Jesus do?” to which the little boy replied something like “Jesus would multiply it into 5,000 pieces!” “WWJD?” seems to be a popular phrase now, meaning -- “What Would Jesus Do?”
Then I came across a Peanuts comic strip when Sally announced to Charlie Brown that “the family that reads together, stays together.” Most of you know where you have heard all these little phrases before (including “the family that prays together, stays together”). And if you have spent much time in Primary working with the children, these phrases are even more familiar.
It caused me to reflect upon how nice it is to see the positive influence of Jesus Christ outside of the church and home. In spite of all the bad news, disasters, terror, and destruction in the world, I have been seeing little flickers of light that gleam here and there, and remind me that there is always hope. I am reminded that we have not been forgotten, that Jesus will always love us, unconditionally. He will never turn his back on us, regardless of what we say, how we act, or even what we do.
Imagine a baby that was born in a lowly stable. A place filled with animals, hay, and as is present in all barns and stables-- flies, dust, and other “undesirables”. Imagine that all the hotels are filled. There is absolutely no vacancy. There is no sterile hospital room, free from the cold night air. Here is a newborn baby, born in an animal “shelter”.
His mother and earthly father were the first ones to lay their eyes upon the tiny babe. I cannot help but wonder if Mary wept at his birth. As she held her newborn child close to her heart, did she look upward, and with silent tears coursing down her cheeks, plead to the Father in his behalf? Perhaps she shed tears of both joy and sadness, having some idea of the future that lay before her tiny son. I wonder.
Imagine the baby’s parents, how they watched him grow through the years, and must have been so proud of the fine young man he had become. And with a great sadness, greater than we will ever desire to know, Mary watched as her son was brutally nailed to a cross and hung until death. She watched, as this perfect soul, one who had wanted no pain for others, but only happiness and everlasting life, died. He, who has loved us in spite of our weaknesses and faults, with a love far greater than we can comprehend; He, who had never hurt anyone, bled while hanging from a wooden cross and died. Mary watched as his kind and gentle spirit slipped away, the prophecies now fulfilled. Being a mother, I can imagine her pain and how she must have wept for her son, her little boy, the babe she had born in a stable, not so long ago.
Long before the pain has had time to ease, imagine the happiness shared by so many upon hearing the news of the resurrection of this same Jesus Christ. Whether Mary was present or not during this time, I cannot say. I can only imagine how Mary’s emotions must have soared if she were there to watch her glorified son ascend into heaven, while angelic messengers spoke promises of his return. I wonder if her spirit was so filled, tears again found their way down the contours of her face. Or perhaps there was no need for tears. Only happiness and joy could follow the knowledge that we, too, will live again.
At this time of year, as our thoughts turn to our families, I am well reminded that Jesus Christ is my brother. He was born, lived and died, and yet He lives again, to show us the way that we should follow, to lead us home. He will never turn his back on us, and we would be wise to follow his example. He has shown us the way to live, and the way to treat each other. He is my brother, and I know he loves me, and he loves each one of you. I am grateful for all that he has done for me and am grateful for the family he has given me. I have been blessed in so many ways!
It is my Christmas wish, that we may all remember the baby Jesus and what his birth means for us. That we may put ourselves in the shoes of others, and share the weight we each bear, lightening the load for each other as Jesus would do for us if he were on the earth today. I hope each of you have a very special and meaningful holiday season this year! We love you and miss you all!
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