Do You Have Room?

As I reflect on this Christmas season, I ask myself this question; "Do I Have Room?"

I hear and read many people who are a "Scrooge" during this time of year. I have to admit that I am almost a scrooge. Not because I don't like Christmas, but because I think I have my heart and mind in the wrong place. If we are being a Scrooge, is it because we are thinking about worldly things? Are we focusing on what we DON'T have? What is Christmas all about? If we are being a Scrooge, we are forgetting what the TRUE meaning of Christmas is.

The true meaning of Christmas is to ponder about our Savior and all that He is and all that He has done for each one of us. I heard this story by Glenn Rawson last Sunday.

The Birth

I want to tell a familiar story with this in mind: Christmas is all about ‘love.’

“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.” (Luke 2:1)

You know, as Caesar and the oppressive Roman Empire counted and taxed the goods of life from its subjects, the same time a true king was born, who would also number His sheep, but He would free them and give them the abundance of life, not take it. And again, “(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)” (Luke 2:2)

Sometimes I wonder what that’s in there for. But the book of Luke was a letter written to a friend. This parenthetical comment was directed by Luke to his friend Theophilus to give him a point of time reference for the beginning of his story.

And another thought is that every year we send Christmas cards with expressions of love and faith and greeting. So what does that make the Book of Luke then? – the world’s first Christmas card.

“And all went to be taxed, every one unto his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judaea unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” (Luke 2:3-5)

No matter what the customs of the Jews, Joseph and Mary returned to Bethlehem because God wanted them to, because Jesus must be born in Bethlehem to fulfill the words of the prophets. We can only imagine how arduous that journey must have been for Mary who was full-term. Yet, sacrifice, then and now, brings forth the blessings of Heaven.

“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son,…” (Luke 2:6-7)

Jesus was Mary’s firstborn, and the birthright son of Joseph’s family. Later Mary would have at least four more sons, and at least two daughters. So I guess you could say in more ways than one, Jesus stood at the head of large family.

“… and wrapped him in swaddling clothes,…” (Luke 2:7)

To swaddle was to wrap the newborn to provide comfort and security. Isaiah prophesied in the Old Testament that a virgin would conceive and bring forth a son. And then he said right after that, that “…Butter and honey shall he eat…” meaning the son of the virgin. (Isaiah 7:14-15) Butter and honey were staples in the diet of the poor. The meaning seems to be that Jesus would be born in poverty. Swaddling clothes were strips of cloth, or if you will, ‘rags.’

“… and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn[s].” (Luke 2:7)

Mary’s condition would have been obvious. Imagine if an expectant mother came to your door. Could you ever turn her away? Yet in the hardness of their hearts, no one would make room for her in the inns.

Descended from the royal courts on high, the Prince of Peace, the King of Heaven, was born in His own city, among His own people, in a stable.

When Jesus said, “…I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not…” (D&C 6:21), even in His birth it was fulfilled. Bethlehem marked the beginning of the journey for the Savior who would descend below all things that He might rise above all things.

My friends, I hope – I hope with all of my heart that the love of the Savior fills your heart this Christmas, and that love spreads to all men as you make room for Him.

Merry Christmas.

Glenn Rawson – December 2006

If we are being a scrooge and wishing Christmas would just get over with, we need to refocus on what Christmas is all about. It's not about the material gifts we do or do not receive or the material things that we don't have. We honor what Christ has done for us. He wasn't born rich. He didn't go through life without trials. But He has given us the most amazing gift. He has given us the Atonement, the gift of unconditional love.

There will always be those that have more than us and there will always be those that have less. If we focus on those that have less and be thankful for what we DO have, we can have peace and a desire to serve those around us. I believe we will be less selfish and less envious.

May we all remember the true meaning of Christmas and MAKE room for Him all year long!

Do You Have Room?

My Dad's Floppy Sock and Tender Mercies

Years ago I shared my experience with my angel dad.
I have made a few changes to use for my Final Essay for my English class in the Pathway Program.

Jody Shelley

December 6, 2017

ENG 106 L13 Personal Essay

Sister Bowles

My Dad’s Floppy Sock and Tender Mercies

When I was a child and into my teen years, growing up with my dad around was mostly fun. He had a good sense of humor and he liked to have fun. Our friends were always welcomed to our house and dad liked everyone. He reminded me of Charles Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie when it came to liking people.

When my dad was just a boy, maybe around 10 years old but not yet a teenager, he got his toes cut off on his right foot up to the middle of his arch during a farming accident with some kind of potato conveyor belt. It cut it half way off and his dad had to cut it the rest of the way off to free him from the machine. This resulted in him having a limp for the rest of his life. His foot stopped him from doing many of the things that he wanted to do, but I never heard him complain about it and he would often tease us with his partial foot.

There were times when our friends were over to the house and my dad would take off his shoes. Now this wasn’t just a boring event. After he took off his right shoe, he would look at his floppy sock, shake it, and look shocked. There was only part of his foot in his sock, the area where the toes were supposed to be, the sock was floppy. He would ask us kids where his foot went? He would then proceed to look for his foot in his shoe, under the chairs and get us all looking as well. Then he would chase us kids around with his floppy sock, with a limp, because he couldn’t run well with that right foot. Dad had all of us screaming and laughing.  He would run the best he could but of course it was with a limp. This also made his back hurt for many years.

A few years after I got married, my parents divorced and both my parents eventually married other spouses. My brother and I were both married with our own little families by then and we were pretty stable in our lives. Several events happened and eventually things were pretty strained between my dad and I. We never took the chance to make a complete amends before he passed away, but he did tell me he loved me during one of his coherent times on his death bed.

Fast forward to the year 2010, a year and a half after dad passed away. My husband, Doran, and I have a few running routes. One route goes past the cemetery where my father is buried. When we run by the cemetery we are always saying "Hi" to dad and all the others there. Sometimes when I am having a rough time during a run, I am constantly calling on my dad to help me. While I was out on a run in the canyon with Doran, training for a Half Marathon, I had an amazing experience. It was a beautiful day and a great run. We started up the canyon and we were going to run down to home. It would be a total of eight miles. Because Doran was usually faster than me, he would run a little ahead of me but he wouldn't go far and then turn around and come back to me. This particular run was not bad because it was mostly downhill. So, this is why I was a little confused as to what happened.

For the first time I did not use my iPod. I just listened to my breathing, my shoes hitting the road and the vehicles rushing by. Like I said, it was a beautiful run. I did a pretty good job pacing myself the whole time and I was feeling good. About mile five all of a sudden, my dad popped into my thoughts. At this time, I am wondering why? I am not struggling and calling for his help yet. But then the feeling got stronger. Pretty soon I could feel him running next to me, yes, FEEL him running, on BOTH feet, and he was young, maybe his early 20’s. He was on my right side. The feeling was SO strong that I could almost SEE him. He was enjoying the run and I could feel that he was smiling. At this time, I am just sobbing while I am running. I didn’t dare look towards dad or change my pace. The feelings were so strong that I didn’t want to break the “spell”. Doran turned around and saw I had tears just streaming down my face, so he came back to see if I was okay. I couldn't say much at the moment and just said "Yes, I'll tell you later." I motioned him to go on ahead, so he did. I felt my dad slowly leave but I felt his love and support for me. Because of the previous issues before dad died, for years I wondered if he still loved me and if he was mad at me. But this tender mercy let me know that he was happy with me and for me.

I am so thankful for my testimony of the hereafter, of eternal families, and of the Atonement and how we can all repent and strive to be better each day so that we can see our loved ones again.

            What a wonderful blessing it was for me to experience this tender mercy. I truly ran with my angel dad. Doran is so good to help me achieve my goals and I now KNOW for sure that my dad will be with me as well when I need his help. Even though dad had his weaknesses, along with the rest of us, he always supported my brother and I in any endeavor we took on. He was my biggest fan and I know he will continue to be my biggest fan.