The Light of Christmas

By Anne Maxson

Helaman 14:3,6 speaks of the lights in heaven that are the signs of the Savior’s coming. Samuel says, “Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven…And behold this is not all, there shall be many signs and wonders in heaven.”  

In his talk “The Light and Life of the World”, President Dallin H. Oaks stated, “Before Jesus was born, Zacharias prophesied that the Lord God of Israel would visit his people ‘to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide [their] feet into the way of peace.’ (Luke 1:79)” 

For the Savior’s second coming, I like to think of us as lights on the earth. We have been called to give light to others and help them to find the path of the Lord. 

At Christmas, I find myself thinking of those who were notified of the Savior’s birth. They were given light. These groups included the humble, (the shepherds), and those who had studied the scriptures, (the wise men). In the Book of Mormon, we can read the account of Nephi, the son of Nephi. In 3rd Nephi 1:11 as it discussed the time when they had reached those 5 years after Samuel’s prophesy, the scripture says that Nephi, “went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God…” 

We need to strive to have those characteristics and habits at this time when the Savior is preparing to come again. We need to be humble in order to feel the gentle promptings of the Spirit. We should study the scriptures diligently and frequently so that we understand the ways in which the Spirit communicates with us. We should pray mightily as a means to open our communications with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

President Oaks goes on to say, “During his ministry Jesus taught, ‘Behold I am the light; I have set an example for you’ (3 Ne. 18:16). Later, he told his Apostles, ‘Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world,’ adding, ‘Behold, I am the light which ye shall hold up—that which ye have seen me do’ (3 Ne. 18:24). He taught the Nephite multitude, ‘Ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do’ (3 Ne. 27:21).”

As we prepare the world for the Second Coming of Christ, we have the opportunity to be lights to those that sit in darkness. Missionary Work and Temple and Family History work are pertinent ways to “give light to them that sit in darkness.” We have the opportunity to hold up the light, which is Christ, to those on both sides of the veil.

We will be inspired with ways to serve others and share the light of Christ with them as we humble ourselves, search the scriptures diligently, pray fervently, and attend the temple, doing vicarious work for those that are not able to do it for themselves. Through these actions, we are able to celebrate the joy of the message of Christmas. I am grateful for this season and the peace and joy that it brings.