When the shepherds heard that Jesus was born, “they came with haste …” What was it that attracted them so much? When they saw him they then “… made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child.” Why? Why were they so excited about this child?
One thing: of course, an angel told them about it, “unto you is born this day … a Savior … Christ the Lord.” The Savior of the world had finally come; the one that had been prophecied of, the one that would save the world “from their sins.”
What is it that saves the world from their sins? [I will tell you; it is] Charity, pure love, even the pure love that Christ has for us. That love, I’m sure, was there in that manger; the love the shepherds felt they wanted to share with others: so they told people where to find it.
What about us?
Now, what about our inns? Do we have room for him? The Savior, of course, is the most important person ever to walk the face of the earth. Yet, people still treat Him as a thing of naught. Why? Why do people not let Him into their hearts? I wish I knew. Sometimes I think it might be just because they don’t have that eternal perspective and see what they can become. Or, they let a few things get in their way, like worldly possessions, and those things take precidence in front of Christlike love. It shouldn’t be that way. Christ should be number one on our list — live like Christ: talk, act, eat, play, just as if Christ were there in our actions, even right by our side. It’s hard sometimes.
Again, the prophet Nephi said, “Men are that they might have joy.” — 2 Nephi 2:25. The purpose of this life is that we might have joy. Adam, that first prophet stated, “…in this life i shall have joy…” — Moses 5:10. So. Joy is an interesting thing. I would suppose we all want to have joy here in this life, and also eternal life with Heavenly Father. So, how does one become a Christmas card? In other words, how does one have this great joy that will light up our face?
Well, if you ever find out for sure, let me know, but let me give you a few of my thoughts on the subject. President Benson has said, “The gospel is the Lord’s plan for our happiness” — Ensign, Sept (I think), First Presidency Message: Repentance*. Basically, that just clears everything up for us right there. If we live the gospel an inevitable consequence of that is that we will be happy. Also, we will have eternal life. Our Father in Heaven loves us very much. Therefore, he wants us to be happy. That is why he gave us the gospel. Only in the gospel can we find true happiness, for “…wickedness never was happiness,” says Alma to his son Corianton (Alma 41:10).
I would suppose that some of the most important words that have helped me out, and there have been many, were those of President Campbell. [when] in an interview one Zone Conference he said to my question of what’s your best advice you can give me now?” Simply, first, he told me who said it, then he said, “Live the gospel.” What more could we hope for? The way we are to be happy in this life is by living the gospel — keeping the commandments. Sometimes it will be hard and that’s the test of our true character. But, we must live the gospel totally and completely to have joy — both in this life and the one [here]after.
Usually during the Christmas season we tend to think of some of the attributes of the Savior more intently, such as, love, caring, sharing, long-suffering, etc. This is good, for if we love God and our neighbor with all our heart, how can we [not] help but to serve them? And, the best way we can serve God, we all know from King Benjamin: Serve others (Mosiah 2:17).
It is my prayer that we can strive to be more like Christ in all things. that we may have eternal life, if we are faithful and receive the greatest joy and be a Christmas card. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.