My Life In Philly

Elder Lake and myself love Christmas. So we decided to make Christmas cards to send to all of our family and friends wishing them a "Merry Christmas."


The other night I sat looking at the cards pondering on Christmas.

As a  missionary I get to teach a lot of different people about Christ. Most of the time I teach people about the death and resurrection of Christ. These are all important things of course, but something I love about Christmas is that I get to teach on the birth of Christ.
I think that we often forget the true meaning of Christmas. I'm to blame as well. For years growing up I didn't think about Christ during the holiday season. My thoughts were mostly on what was lying under the tree instead of why we were celebrating this time of the month.

I'm very grateful to be a missionary. For missionaries, Christmas can be a very hard time for them on their missions. Why? Well being away from families during the Christmas time can be often very lonely and sad. As I've progressed in my time as a missionary I've come to love the time I spend as a missionary during Christmas. This is because I am away from all the presents, the tree, the lights, the big Christmas feast at home. My thoughts can be easily focused on Christ because there is no other distractions. Now I don't recommend that we all leave home during Christmas or that we shouldn't have a tree or lights. No those are great things that we should all have, no I recommend that we all put a greater focus on why we have this holiday, why we have the lights and the tree, why we have the feast.

I testify of the peace and happiness that can be brought into our life as we do so. I have felt such a warmth during this season and such a peace and calmness. As our thoughts are upon His birth this season we can truly appreciate the spirit of Christmas.

"When the Savior, Jesus Christ, was born, the prophecies were fulfilled. The time that all the holy prophets had waited for had finally come. An angel appeared to shepherds while they watched their flocks. The angel spoke to the shepherds, saying, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10–11.)