A Texas girl. A BYU graduate. An ASU graduate. A Certified Child Life Specialist. A movie enthusiast. An artist. A dreamer. A hopeful romantic. As classy and sassy as ever. Still smiling, still laughing, and still sporting those Angel Eyes.
Yesterday Jupiter and Saturn were the closest they have been in almost 800 years. Together they created a sort of "Christmas Star" that was so much brighter than all of the others. As I stood on top of my parking garage staring at it, I thought of the believers searching for that sign so many years ago. For some, it was a matter of life and death. Can you imagine the fear and anxiety? But when the day turned to night and it didn't get darker...When that new appeared in the sky anyway, what pure joy! The Savior had been born and with him came love, joy, and peace.
Looking up at the 2020 version of that special star, I longed for that joy and peace. This year has been so hard for so many. My hope is in this Christmas season and coming new year that we will all be able to find everlasting joy and peace through our Savior, Jesus Christ and remember there is so much more than the current circumstances we are in, good or bad. Below are some pictures of Christ to help bring you peace, and light, and love.
How fitting it is that Mormon's letter to Moroni on Faith, Hope, and Charity fell as the Christmas season approached. How fitting that we learn how faith in Him, even just a mustard seed of faith in Him can put the Atonement in effect in our lives as we come to celebrate His birth. How fitting that we talk of hope as we talk of Christ. How fitting that we teach that charity is the pure love of Christ as we decorate and give gifts in honor of the greatest gift. How truly fitting that we read that miracles have not ceased and angels have not ceased to be among the children of mean as we tell the story of the most wonderful miracle of all in which angels foretold and rejoiced.
In Germany they have a word for everything. A desire for something unknown is Sehnsucht. But, so far there is no descriptor for the sensation of coming across pre-planned events that have been scribbled out because they no longer exist. 2020 brought along many scratched out activities, family dinners, church services, work days, time with friends, etc. You name it, and it was probably scribbled out. But, among the sorrow that comes with each scribble comes a light at the end of the year. A light that cannot be taken away. I know someone in my parents' neighborhood has a sign in their yard that says, "Hope is not cancelled." How forever grateful I am for my Savior and for the fact that because of Him and my faith in Him, Hope is not cancelled. I can still feel hope, joy, peace, and love through Him. As I read the scriptures, learn of Him, pray in His name, grow my testimony of Him, and become like Him, that hope can grow.
I came across a 5-minute fireside today that I felt was so perfect.
Christmas will still be special. We can find peace, joy, love, and HOPE because of Christ. We can be like Mary and be full of faith even in times where we may find ourselves asking, "I'm doing everything you've asked. Can you make this a little bit easier?" May we all align our thoughts to Him in this busy, unprecedented, unusual Christmas season because in the words of the famous Dr. Seuss, "Maybe Christmas, [the Grinch] thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." And, may we all come to TRUST HIM in this coming year even as we come across the more difficult or unplanned for times.
