Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. It seems to bring out the best in people. Christmas brings a desire to share what we have with others. There are many gifts that are shared this time of year, but perhaps the greatest gift any of us have received is the gift of Jesus Christ. I would like to challenge each of us this Christmas Season to reflect on the gifts we have been given through His life, His mission, and His example.
Just as promised in the introduction to the Book of Mormon, we can “come to know by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah.”
This knowledge – that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He was crucified for the sins of the world – is a spiritual gift. This gift is not tied to a particular priesthood office nor to a particular gender; rather, it is available to all who qualify for it. We are not asked to bring the Savior gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to qualify for this beautiful spiritual gift. But we are asked to give of ourselves.
How we serve others, keep covenants we’ve made with God, participate in temple ordinances, and accept callings that come our way are all ways we can show gratitude for the gifts the Savior has made possible. This Christmas, I hope we will all ask our Heavenly Father for the spiritual gift of knowing of the living reality of the Savior of the world. The Christmas season is a beautiful and natural time to study His life and strive to emulate His character & attributes.
This holiday season, I hope we will all take time to draw closer to our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the one who makes life possible. Additionally, I hope that as we approach the New Year, we will draw closer to our own families, both those that are with us, and those that came before us. I have found the more I know about those that came before me, the greater my appreciation is for them. I am strengthened by the challenges and obstacles they overcame. Discovering them gives me strength to conquer my own challenges and obstacles.
Beginning a New Year is always a great time to challenge ourselves to do more, to discover more and learn more, and the best part about it is that if we put forth any effort in discovering or drawing closer to family members, our ties become stronger and we’re the recipients of the goodness of our efforts!
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! May you have the Spirit of Christmas in your hearts year around. May you feel the love of those whose lives you can bless through your efforts with Family History is my hope! They are depending on us. Let’s not let them down.
With love & appreciation for all you do, Merry Christmas!
– Doug Nielsen, Director, Granite FamilySearch Center