Joy and the Christmas Season

I love Christmas time. I think I have grown to appreciate it in a much deeper way than in previous years. Maybe it's because I have a daughter on a mission and I'm so blessed to hear her inspiring words each week. Maybe it's because I'm focused more on giving to my family and friends than when I was younger and focused on what I'd receive. Maybe it's because I'm approaching the end of a six month study of The Book of Mormon in which I chose to find joy - literally find joy - every time I found a reference to joy, rejoicing, or happiness I marked it. I also collected quotes from general authorities and other books of scripture to fill the blank pages at the back of the book. I think it's a combination of all of these things. But, I loved how all of these things pointed me to see the true meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate. Christ was born into this sin-filled world and brought the light that shines through the darkness.  

Sometimes I get bogged down by all the wickedness and darkness in the world. The earth truly is filled with the darkest darkness and will continue to get worse until it reaches the worst point of darkness in the history of the world. If I let it it will bring me down and I feel no hope or escape from the darkness. But, when I focus on the joy that Christ brought to the world the darkness fades. I see the great light He sends to lighten the darkness. "I am the light of the world", he says. It is so true! When I choose to look to Christ for light I can see it shining so brightly. I'm so thankful! He's the only one who dispels the evil and darkness that seem to almost engulf the world. Because He was born I can have light and happiness and JOY in my life! I see it in the eyes of my children. I see it in the love freely given by friends and family. I see it in the beautiful doctrines of the scriptures. I found so much joy in my study of The Book of Mormon! And it helped me to focus on the joy that is all around me everyday.

My life is full of joy! I have a husband who loves me and works hard for our family. I have six beautiful, healthy kids that do such wonderful things and bring joy to our family by the choices they are making. I have a warm home, food, clothing, good health, a comfortable bed and running water. I have the gift of repentance, modern revelation through a literal prophet of God, scriptures that fill my mind with goodness, and a Savior that loves me, yes me, sinful me. I'm so grateful for His sacrifice and His love and mercy. He did this for me and for those that I love and care about. There is hope after all in the world! Because of Him! "There has been only One in all the annals of human history who was entirely sinless, qualified to answer for the sins and transgressions of all mankind and survive the pain that accompanied paying for them." (President Boyd K. Packer) Oh, how grateful I am for His sacrifice!

I love the Christmas season. I love to see the world focused on the Savior a little more during this time. He truly is the light of the world and His light dispels the darkness. I choose to find joy everyday. And I'll continue to see the joy in my life through the coming years. I choose to focus on the good in the world and let the bad be taken care of by Christ in His own time. Just as the darkness increases in the world, the light will increase as well until the glorious day of His return. I look forward to that day with hope and joy. Merry Christmas, everyone!