Joy to the World

Happy holiday season, y'all! Here's to another Thanksgiving past and another Christmas to look forward to!

I love this time of year. There is so much to look forward to. This will be my first Christmas home from my mission - going along with that, I just realized that I have been home from my mission for 9 months exactly today! Wow. I will be grateful to spend the holidays with my family and friends. I loved that I had two Christmases on the mission because I learned so much about the true meaning of Christmas, especially that real happiness comes at Christmas time when you are with the ones that you love.

This week I have been thinking a lot about how the Christmas season really brings joy even though the world is dark and dreary. For the past few weeks, I have logged onto Facebook only to log out again after a few seconds because of all the terrible things that have been happening that are being posted about lately.

First there was the tragedy that happened in Paris. My heart still hurts for them at the thought of such sadness. Then, just a few days ago, there was the shootings in San Bernardino. If I dwell on these and the sadness that happens each day all around the world, my world seems darker and the hope seems less bright.

But then it hit me this week: This is the Christmas season! Christ came into the world for reasons such as this: to remove the sadness, to heal the heartbreak, to share the light. Thinking of that little baby and all that He would grow up to do for me and for the rest of the world helped bring me peace.

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. (Ether 12:4)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

I have felt His power in my life. There have been so many times where I have gone to Him with my heart broken, feeling as if it could never be repaired. I do not know quite how it works, but whenever I do that, I feel supported, loved, and filled. The sadness is literally taken from me and when I look back and think on it, my heart is fixed and I cannot seem to feel the pain from before.

Jesus Christ knows us perfectly. He loves us. Such simple words and phrases with such powerful meanings.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King!

Let ev'ry heart prepare him room,

And Saints and angels sing,