Christmas Now

We need a little Christmas.

I admit that in making such a statement, I run the considerable risk of being accused of hypocrisy, mine being among the first and loudest voices raised in objection to Christmas trees, decorations and music showing up before Thanksgiving. But as I watch the world spin ever faster on its runaway course, which can lead only to sorrow, hardship and the immutable justice of an offended God, I find myself thinking, we need a little Christmas. We need it from the first of January to the last of December. Not the lights, or the wrappings, or the presents we carefully collect and place in the shadow of the pines; not the ham roasting in the oven, or the mashed potatoes and gravy; not a blanket of snow, or stockings hanging over a gently glowing fire. These things do not a Christmas make.

The Spirit of Christ, this is what makes Christmas. It's the giving and the gratitude. It's the re-prioritizing of ones' life so that family and friends are, at least for a short while, more important than ones' own plans and ambitions. It's the season when, more than at any other time, the differences of race and culture, politics and religion, wealth and poverty are swept aside by that sweet Spirit which testifies and ''beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.'' (Romans 8:16) This is what we need more of. More remembering who I am. More of knowing who you are. More of remembering who He is. More of doing what He did.

And what did He do? He offered Himself, totally and unreservedly, "[giving] himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God" (Eph. 5:2). He taught truth, for "the truth is in Jesus" (Eph. 4:21) and feared not what men might do. No price was too great for Him. No pain beyond His willingness to endure. No humiliation too abject. There was no temptation or trial, pain or politics, beating or betrayal that could dissuaded Him from His course. "I have trodden the winepress alone;" Jesus said, "and of the people there was none with me." (Isaiah 63:3)

And why did He do it? So that He might be our Advocate. "Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him— Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." (D&C 45:3-5)

Why did He do it? "...because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel." (Jeffery R. Holland None Were With Him April 2009 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

Yes. We need Christ-mas right now. More sacrificing of self, more helping others. More turning from sin and moving toward God. More obedience and less grumbling. More faith, power and miracles instead of doubt, helplessness and impossible situations. More determination to stay the course, to stand up and stand out in living and proclaiming truth and righteousness instead of acquiescing to the easy, popular, cheap and destructive fun which society is not only content to wallow in, but aggressively promotes. More forgiveness for failings, and turning of the other cheek. More repentance and reform. More trust in His word.

"I, even I, am he that comforteth you:" said Christ to Isaiah, "who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the Lord thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; .... I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say unto Zion, Thou art my people." (Isaiah 51:12-16)

"Awake, and arise from the dust, O Jerusalem; yea, and put on thy beautiful garments, O daughter of Zion; and strengthen thy stakes and enlarge thy borders forever, that thou mayest no more be confounded, that the covenants of the Eternal Father which he hath made unto thee, O house of Israel, may be fulfilled. Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God. And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot." (Moroni 10:31-33)

Yes. We need a Christ-mas now.