My Season to Show Love to God
Merry Christmas! It is wonderful to be with our missionaries because they are each amazing individuals and it is a pleasure to serve with them and to love them. At this time of year, I am keenly aware of the sacrifice for them and their families to be separated during the holidays. As we have made plans for our mission celebrations, I have reflected upon my own Christmases at home.
One of the highlights of the holiday season for me is the giving and receiving of gifts. I love to find ‘the perfect gift’ for my family members because it is an expression of my affection. It can be a lot of work, but it feels great when I succeed! President Chipman is super easy because he loves socks and so I know how to make him happy! On the other extreme, my daughter, Allie, is much more complicated because she wants the gift to be environmentally responsible, useful, stylish, and fun. It takes much more thought and work than buying socks to find her ‘the perfect gift,’ but I enjoy the challenge.
It is also fun to receive ‘the perfect gift’ as a surprise. Over the years, I have been the recipient of many precious gifts from my loved ones that I still cherish because I still feel loved by their kind gestures. Can you think of a special gift that you have received that makes you feel loved?
There is an example of a ‘perfect gift' given in the Book of Mormon when an angel instructed Nephi about his father’s dream.
1 Nephi 11:20-23
20 And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms.
21 And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father! knowest thou the meaning of the tree which thy father saw?
22 And I answered him, saying: Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things.
23 And he spake unto me, saying: Yea, and the most joyous to the soul.
Can you think of a better way for God to convey his love to mankind than to show the birth of His son to Mary? It is ‘the perfect gift!’ I hope that as you think about your Heavenly Father’s gift to the world this Christmas season that you can feel his love for you personally.
So, God gave us ‘the perfect gift’ to show us love, what gift can we give to God that will show Him love? One way is found in John 21:15-17 when the risen Lord had visited his disciples for the third time.
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Peter was told clearly that if he wanted to show his love for the Savior, then he should share the gospel with others. This is exactly what full-time missionaries do! Even though we love and miss our families, we have the unique opportunity for God to feel our love by feeding His sheep as our consecrated gift to Him during this sacred season. Just like Peter, we can reciprocate God’s beautiful love! This realization has made this holiday season particularly special to me as I embrace the wonderful company of these dedicated young missionaries as we all serve and show our love to the Lord together.
