Christmastime.  What a mix of feelings are evoked by this word, this idea, this time of year. As the mother of seven wonderful children, I admit to some anxiety triggers about Christmastime. I loved making Christmas special and exciting for the children, but it was…strenuous. Most of all, I wanted my children to know about Jesus, wanted them to know Jesus. Now, with my youngest turning 16, Christmastime is different, but I still want the same thing for myself and my children; I want it to be about the peace and joy only the Savior can bring.

“This is a wonderful time of the year. It may not be perfect. But if Christmas can point our hearts toward our Savior, we can rejoice even in the imperfections of the season. Brothers and sisters, dear friends, may we always remember to bring gifts to Him who has given His all for us. May we always remember and be grateful that in the birth of that Child, the universe rejoiced. And may each Christmas season remind us to lift up our voices and fill our hearts with joy and gratitude that Christ the King has come! Christ lives! He is real. He is our Redeemer at Christmas and always. Of this I bear solemn witness.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Five of my children were born near Christmastime. The joy of Christ’s birth was never more real, experienced so personally, as it was during those years when I cradled my own precious infant, by the light of the Christmas tree, pondering what it might have been like for Mary, sweet Mary, the mother of Jesus. A first baby is thrilling and frightening and miraculous. Mary’s experience would have been a million times more miraculous and awe-inspiring because of what she knew—that finally, wonderfully, after all the prophesies, the waiting, the hopes and fears of all the years, she was going to bring the Savior, God’s own Son, into the world.  Though the journey to Bethlehem must have been painfully difficult, and the stable-type setting was a humble, lowly place for a baby to be born, it might also have been a blessedly quiet, secluded place away from the human noise and commotion going on all around the city. With the assurance of the ever-faithful Joseph keeping watch, surely there was a peace and joy so intense, the setting was forgotten as the precious baby boy was born and cradled in his mother’s tender, welcoming arms.

I’ve imagined the shepherds’ amazing experience. These were humble, hard workers. They were simple, faithful people doing their job, trying to keep the little ones from wandering or getting hurt, always keeping watch. I relate to that job description. They knew the prophecies. They hoped and waited. They believed. What a thrilling reward they received for their faithful hope and belief!  I feel, right along with them, the wonder and awe of the angel’s “good tidings of great joy” that “born this day…[is] a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” I want to sing out with the multitude of heavenly host saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” I understand their urgency, as they made haste to go and see the precious, holy babe, and then shared the miraculous news.  Joy, joy, joy.

Then there were the wise men from the east, whose perseverance and faith are inspiring. They searched for a long time! They must’ve faced many hardships on their journey. I find convenient, modern traveling exhausting and wonder how they kept going. Did they stop to serve others along the way, like some stories depict? Did they ever doubt, wondering if they would find Him? Even if they had doubts or felt discouraged, they never gave up. They kept their eye on the star—the symbol of Christ’s arrival. They were sustained by their hope, their faith, and their desire to worship, to give something to Him. I can identify with these men. There are times when my road, my journey is long and hard, and I want to get off the camel, but I keep my eye on my Jesus. I search, hope, mourn, struggle, and rejoice along the way. Finding the Savior is a lifelong journey of love and hope and discovery. I want to be wise. I want to keep going. I want to worship and give something—my heart, my will, my small gifts of service—to Him, too.

“I believe that each of us can re-create that familiar scene in Bethlehem in our own lives. We can have a star to follow just as the Wise Men did. ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.’ The scriptures can light our way, and our testimonies can be a light from within. The voices of angels can be the voices of our beloved prophet and His servants. We can kneel at the feet of our Savior just as literally as the shepherds and the Wise Men, but we do it in prayer. The gifts we bring are our talents. We can shout “Hosanna” like that angelic choir and spread the good news by bearing our testimonies. By works of righteousness, we can come unto Him each day of our lives just as if we had trod in our sandaled feet the rocky path to Bethlehem, holding a staff or bearing gifts.” Betty Jo N. Jepsen

These sweet thoughts are the ones I hold on to during this season, when often my heart is sorrowing, missing the childish squeals of joy and sticky hugs and kisses of days gone by, aching at the loss of hoped-for dreams, and longing for a glimpse of a tender smile from a loved-one no longer here or one who is aging and hurting.  I know my Savior makes room for my grief as I make room for His love and light. Christmastime is still a light-filled, music-ringing, hopeful reminder of the incomparable gift of knowing Jesus. He lived, selflessly and perfectly, died, heroically and sacrificially, and everlastingly overcame death, through the resurrection. No sorrow, loss, or pain can overshadow the joy of His atonement and love for each of us. He lives and will come again. The good news is still true. Hallelujah and joy to the world!