As Christmas is only a few days away, may we find time to reflect with our family on the birth of our Savior and His mission. I know how busy it can be with finding just that right gift, or trying to find what would be best for stocking stuffers and hoping you haven’t forgot about a neighbor or friend. Amidst this season, may we take some time, perhaps at night, and read of His birth and share the message of His life.
As I reflect on his long awaited and tender birth I cannot help but think about His example and mission: to heal those that suffer and help us to return to Heavenly Father. I am reminded how even little children can be an example in their own family lives. A dear young primary girl was going through a difficult time. Her parents had divorced and she was adjusting to a new step mother who rarely attended church. Her own mother was going through a difficult time as well. She was unable to find a secure job and was finding single life again to be hard. Although the divorce was mutual, this sweet young girl found it hard to handle.
At church she was taught to say her personal prayers and read her scriptures, and encouraged to do a family home evening weekly. She was challenged to be in charge of one family home evening a month and would bring home an outline for the night. But these encouragements were hard to fulfill. She was told she could not have a family home evening with her family. She had to be to bed at a certain tim,e and if she was in the middle of a prayer she was told to stop and get in bed. She was confused as to how to handle these situations.
One Sunday just before Christmas, she was found in the halls of the church crying. Her family was simply having a bad day and she was having a hard time dealing with it. But the lesson in primary that day had been on the birth and example of the Savior. In that lesson, it was taught that each of the primary children were special, and had a special mission just like the Savior. Although each child will have a different mission, it was shared that they could make a difference in the lives of their own family just like the Savior made a difference in the lives of all people. This little girl took this Christmas message to heart. She asked her primary teacher how she could have family home evenings without getting into trouble and how she could say a prayer without being asked to stop. After coming up with a plan the young girl approached her father and asked if she could have a family home evening once a month with her little sister in her bedroom and she would say her nighttime prayers in her bed. Her father agreed and faithfully each month this little girl held an official family home evening with her little sister. She worked hard on saying her prayers at night and tried to stay close to the Lord.
Weeks went by and this young girl seemed more at peace. When asked how she was doing she said she remembered from the Christmas lesson that she had a purpose in her family and maybe it was to set the example for her little sister. Of course, I believe this sweet young girl was also being an example of the gospel for her family. What an incredible example of an unconquerable spirit against difficult situations. What a strength of character and maturity beyond her years this little girl demonstrated. As stated in 2 Nephi 21:6, “a little child shall lead them.” When the Savior came to the earth he came as a tender babe not as a king with his own kingdom. But, as a child. This season let our hearts turn to His birth and his mission and reflect on all the wonderful influences we have been blessed with in our lives.
Wendy M. Johnson