Merry Christmas

It is time for my favorite Christmas scripture.  It is in 3 Nephi 1:13. Now, I know it is not a typical Christmas scripture. In fact, most people don't think of it as one at all. But, if we look at the story, it is about the believers in the Americas at Christ's birth. They are trusting in the Lord, following the prophet, and doing what they should, even though they have persecutions. The non believers have set aside a day to kill them all because Samuels words have not been fulfilled. So, there they are, all worried about the future, looking forward for a sign to be given, and they are to be killed in the morning. But, the Lord comes with His reassurance. He says: "Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world..." What power and faith they must have felt. For that night the sign was given, the light stayed on all night. It must have been amazing. Sometimes when I was taking the bus early in the morning on my way to college, and the full moon was out, I felt as if the Lord had left the light on for me, to keep me safe. They must have felt similar, for the non believers could not deny the sign, and their lives were saved. And we can learn a lot from this scripture. For when the darkness comes, when we feel all is lost, when we feel as if the world is going to close in and kill us, Christ will be there. Christ will say to us "Lift up your head and be of good cheer" For He is just around the corner, and soon all will be well.  For isn't that what we celebrate at Christmas? The fact that the Lord was born. The fact that He has come to rescue us from death and sin. That the time is now at hand that all will be saved. It is amazing. And we can now look forward to His return once again. So, even if it is not considered something for Christmas, I love it still. I also think it is important to remember all year long, for not only are we in despair right before we die, but we have problems all the time, that we should remember, Christ is just around the corner ready to come to our aid.