Ah, Christmas Eve…what a glorious, magical
time of year. Since I’ve returned home from my first semester of college
a couple weeks ago, things have been crazy.
They’ve been kind of stressful, kind of frustrating, busy, tiring…hard,
but good. I can definitely tell that
Satan is trying to attack at all sides the closer I come to serving my
mission. However, I have been so blessed
with angelic people who love me and always extend a helping hand.
It has caused me to reflect on one of my
favorite Christmas songs, How Far is it
to Bethlehem? written by Norah Lofts.
How far is it to Bethlehem? Not very far.
Shall we find the stable room lit by a star?
Can we see the little child; is he within?
If we lift the wooden latch may we go in?
Frequently in our lives Heavenly Father places us in circumstances that really challenge us. These can be unexpected and confusing and we may feel that we aren’t ready for them. We scramble to and fro, getting caught up in what we think is important. Our minds constantly turn, trying to solve the puzzles—more like the Rubik’s cubes—of life that hover over us. We can feel unsettled and flustered and unfocused and without purpose. It is in the midst of these circumstances that we find ourselves yearning for the peace that comes from our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His gospel. That peace can seem so far out of reach. And when it does, we may find ourselves asking, “How far is it to Bethlehem?”
Is it possible to find Him? How far away is He? Will He really be there if we go?
As I pondered these questions, the Spirit opened my eyes and reminded me of a beautiful lesson in the scriptures. Consider, in St. Luke 2, the account of Christ’s birth when the shepherds are abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. There is a parallel here with us; we are each “abiding” in our own fields of life, keeping watch over our flocks, or over our own responsibilities: work, school, families, callings, etc. An angel comes and tells us where to find Christ: in Bethlehem, the city of David. The shepherds said to each other, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see this thing…” And then we read, “They came with haste and found…the babe lying in a manger.”
That seems so simple! The angel told them where to go, they went, and they found Him. Is it really that simple? Another account in the scriptures can help answer that question.
In 1 Nephi 11, Nephi desires to see the vision his father saw. Because Nephi desires, and because he believes, the angel tells him that he will see a sign and receive a witness. But there is one very crucial thing that Nephi must do. It is one word: “Look!” Nephi must decide to look, and he does.
“I looked and beheld the Son of God…I looked and beheld the Redeemer of the world…I looked and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men...I looked and beheld the Lamb of God…And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world…”
The more Nephi chooses to look, the more He sees and understands the life, mission, and works of Jesus Christ. We must look to behold.
And so the answer is yes; it really is that simple. We know where to find Him. We find Him in Bethlehem. I wondered what was so significant about Bethlehem and came to a wonderful discovery. Bethlehem means “House of Bread.” I found this so interesting because Christ is the “Bread of Life” and those who come unto Christ shall never hunger if they choose to partake. One of the ways we can more literally do this is by partaking of the Sacrament each week. Sister Cheryl A. Esplin said, “Our wounded souls can be healed and renewed not only because the bread and water remind us of the Savior’s sacrifice of His flesh and blood but because the emblems also remind us that He will always be our ‘bread of life’ and ‘living water.’” When we choose to come unto Him, we can partake of the bread and the waters of life freely (Alma 5:34). He will fill us completely and wholly. It is only He who can fill us completely because only He knows us perfectly and understands our infirmities because only He suffered for us.
In each of our journeys to Bethlehem, let us remember Him and look to Him. Let us remember in whom we have trusted. Let us remember in whom we can still trust. Let us remember that we must only choose to look and we will find Him. Let us remember Him, our Savior Jesus Christ, who is the Prince of Peace. And let us also remember that the journey to Bethlehem is not very far. We will find Him there.
I testify that He was born of Mary, that He lived a perfect life and performed miracles, always obeying His Father’s will. He bore our griefs, sorrows, pains, iniquities, and infirmities in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was crucified and rose on the third day. I know that He lives. The prints of nails in His hands, wrists, and feet are a sacred reminder of His sacrifice for us. He stands supreme. I love Him. He is my Lord, my Redeemer, my Savior, my King.
For now,
Alyssa
For now,
Alyssa
