At this wonderful time of year, we want to share the message of love, a special love that the Savior taught us about through the scriptures. Our Savior did not just say “I love you”, He showed the people that He truly loved them. He performed miracles, taught parables, and served people to show them how much He loved them. And His greatest act of love was to take upon Him the sins of the world, so that we may return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father. You may wonder how we can show this type of love. It is often simple. Through acts of service to our neighbors, friends and family is a great starting place.
Last week such an act of service happened in one of our neighborhoods. A couple woke up and noticed that their driveway had been plowed as they walked out the door with their snow shovels. This seems like a simple act for someone with a plow on their ATV. However, it meant to his neighbors that they did not have to bundle up in the cold and hand shovel that big driveway. There is more to this story about service though. That Good Samaritan called later that morning and said, “I wanted you to know that I plowed your driveway, and I will do this every time it snows. I’m not calling to brag; I just feel like we need to reach out verbally to each other to check on one another. I want to encourage you to call someone today and give them a message of light to brighten their day. There are just too many lonely people who just need someone to talk to.” It is a good challenge to call friends that have not been contacted for a while and have a wonderful visit. A simple act of kindness, like calling someone up to say, “I love you”, can make someone’s day even brighter than before. It can make others want to share that same message of love with others.
Jesus Christ was and is the perfect example of love. On that sacred special night when he was born, the shepherds were abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night when an angel of the Lord came upon them and said, “Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” The shepherds were so excited that they went immediately to the manger to see the newborn babe.
As we think about that scene, we can imagine the love. The love from Mary and Joseph. The love from the shepherds and the love from a kind Heavenly Father that sent His Only Begotten Son to atone for the sins of the world.
Ulisses Soares said, “The Savior’s life was the perfect example of love and goodwill toward men. He always forgot Himself in behalf of others. His selfless acts were expressed in all He did every day of His life and were not limited to a specific season or holiday.”
As Christmas quickly approaches, let us remember to follow the Savior by lifting others, loving others and providing service to our friends, family, and neighbors. A quick note, call or visit could brighten someone’s day with light. Live as the Savior would every day of the year. We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a beautiful New Year. With Love from, The Salina Utah Stake Presidency
