by Sister Jordan Bigler
“And the Grinch,
with his grinch feet
ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling
“How could it be so?
It came without ribbons!
It came without tags!
It came without packages, boxes or bags!
And he puzzled three hours,
till his puzzler was sore.
Then the Grinch thought of something
that he hadn’t before!
“Maybe Christmas, he thought
doesn’t come from a store.
Maybe Christmas...perhaps…
means a little bit more.”
-Dr. Seuss
I love the story of the grumpy Grinch, who learns that Christmas is about much more than presents and things. It’s about the spirit and love of the season- and serving those around us, as Christ did.
As Christians, we know that Christmas means a little bit more. It’s the time of year when we celebrate the birth of our beloved Savior and Redeemer. But sometimes, like the Grinch, we get caught up in all the holiday “stuff” to do, things to buy, places to go, etc., as if these things are what makes the perfect Christmas season. And while none of these things are bad, I’m reminded of what Dallin H. Oaks said in his October 2007 general conference talk, titled Good, Better, Best. He said: “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.”
As I think back over all the Christmases of my life – I have very few memories of what presents I received or parties that I attended over the years. The memories of past Christmases that are very clear though are the experiences that I had to serve others.
One Christmas in particular, I remember from when I was nine years old, there was a family in our ward at the time whose father had lost his job a few months before. We decided as a family to do something for them anonymously. I remember how excited we all were to go shopping and pick out a gift for each of the kids in the family and to help my mom pack the box with the presents and food for a Christmas dinner. We were so giddy as we drove over to their house and hid in our car down the street while my dad dropped the box on their front porch and ran. And when we got home – since these were the days before caller ID – we called them from our house, and I got to say (in my best squeaky elf voice) that they should go check their front porch. A few weeks later, in sacrament meeting, the father of this family got up to bear his testimony and talked about how his family had been blessed by someone dropping off presents and food for his family and how grateful he was for that Christmas blessing. It had felt like more an adventure for us as kids than an act of service, but I will never forget the spirit I felt that Sunday listening to his testimony- and knowing that in some small way, we had been able to serve that family as the Savior would have.
“Ye are the light of the world….Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14 & 16
What better way is there for us to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, who spent his entire life serving and loving others- than by spending our Christmas season emulating His example? The #LightTheWorld initiative by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is an invitation to transform Christmas into a season of service. It’s a worldwide movement to touch hearts and change lives by doing the things Jesus did: feeding the hungry, comforting the lonely, visiting the sick and afflicted, and showing kindness to everyone. The world needs more of that.
You can visit ComeUntoChrist.org to sign up to receive daily prompts throughout the month of December for something you can do each day to #LightTheWorld. Our stake social media sites will also be sharing daily inspiration that you can share with family and friends on social media to #LightTheWorld.
My hope is that this Christmas season, we can all follow Christ’s example and let His light shine more brightly through us in all we do.
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