Christmas All the Year Through

Can we really sing glory to God in the middle of a pandemic?

 

Discussing the birth of the Savior Jesus Christ and acknowledging appreciatively His life and mission among mankind seems natural this time of year, of course. But the carols we sing to the King last much longer than the month of December alone. 

 

Some may ask how we can sing praises to Him the whole year through. Let’s take a bit of advice from the Book of Mormon, which we are completing in our Gospel Doctrine classes this year. In the first chapter of the book of Moroni, the prophet states that he has unexpectedly decided to write a few more words hoping they will be of worth to his brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day. Moroni writes for the benefit of the Lamanites—the enemy. How can he do this? The Nephites who will not deny Christ are put to death around 400 A.D.

 

Now I, Moroni, after having made an end of abridging the account of the people of Jared, I had supposed not to have written more, but I have not as yet perished; and I make not myself known to the Lamanites lest they should destroy me.

 

For behold, their wars are exceedingly fierce among themselves; and because of their hatred they put to death every Nephite that will not deny the Christ.

 

And I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ; wherefore, I wander whithersoever I can for the safety of mine own life.

 

Wherefore, I write a few more things, contrary to that which I had supposed; for I had supposed not to have written anymore; but I write a few more things, that perhaps they may be of worth unto my brethren, the Lamanites, in some future day, according to the will of the Lord.

(Moroni 1:1-4)

 

Moroni was running for his life. Lamanites pursued him with the intent to kill. Maybe that’s why the book is relatively short and the first chapters are only a few brief paragraphs. (This is totally conjecture on my part, but he is on the run, so it makes sense why the first few chapters in the book of Moroni are relatively short in comparison to other chapters in the Book of Mormon.) Moroni addresses some very important subjects, however, like the Holy Ghost, the priesthood, the Spirit of Christ, faith, infant baptism, and the words of his father. Lastly, he outlines the steps for all men to get a testimony of the Book of Mormon. But he is on the go and has to move fast.

 

Cali Black writes the following in her Come, Follow Me study material:

 

Mormon had just finished telling his son Moroni about the terrible things that were going on with the Lamanites and Nephites, and what tragic futures were to come.

 

But then he reminds his son:

 

Don’t let these things weigh you down.

 

Don’t let the evils of others bring your spirit and your faith down.

 

Don’t let the wickedness of the world dim your light.

 

Don’t let other people’s poor decisions linger in your mind.

 

And instead?

 

Let Christ lift you up.

 

Let your knowledge of His atoning sacrifice bring you hope.

 

Let His mercy linger in your mind.

 

Let His goodness be a powerful example to you.

 

In addition to her thoughts, I respond that the principle of allowing Christ to raise our sights, heal our relationships, and pick up the pieces from our lives gone awry is the answer to our pathetic attempts to lift ourselves from this shortfall and allow Him to change our otherwise eternal position of inadequacy. Without Jesus Christ, we can never be enough. With Him, we cannot fail.

 

 

Every year, people sing songs like “The First Noel” around Christmastime, and you might wonder what the word “noel” even means. In French, joyeux noel is said to mean “Merry Christmas.” Without going into the etymology of the word, most use the term to recognize and herald the birth of Jesus Christ as God’s good news to the world that a Savior has been born.

 

According to the website Got Questions:

 

“Our English carol ‘The First Noel’ was first published in a book titled Carols Ancient and Modern, edited by William Sandys in 1823. The message of the song is the joyous pronouncement that the King of Israel has been born. When we sing the song or wish someone a joyous noel, we are following the example of the angels, announcing the good news that Jesus Christ was born, not just for Israel, but for all mankind, so we could receive forgiveness of sins through Him.”

 

That means when we sing “The First Noel,” we are really declaring the good news of Jesus Christ—that He has been born of Mary and has come to earth to save all men from sin and death.

 

Hallelujah.