Gospel Message Day 95

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 28

Day 28 scripture - Mosiah 3: 7-8

And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.

And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.

This gives a few more details about the suffering the Savior endured as part of the Atonement, as well as His life. As I've been stating in other days, He suffered every kind of affliction so that He would know when we suffer. The times when I couldn't afford groceries and am living off the bare minimum of food. I have been hungry. Not nearly as hungry as others are, or as often, but I know the pain of that. And I certainly know the pain of being exhausted. My "protein lows" aren't as much painful as they are scary and debilitating. But He knows those, too. He knows how it feels to not think you can get up out of bed that day. And He knows what it is to be lonely--even moreso than me. He knows what it is to be sick. He knows what it is to be discouraged. He knows how it feels to have a broken heart.

This is what can make Him the master healer, because He knows the affliction better than any physician, and He knows how to heal it because He is the cure. I will be forever grateful that the Savior paid the price for my sins and gives me the chance to repent and try to return to my Heavenly Father. I have to use that part of the Atonement frequently and I do not discredit it or lessen it. But overall for me, the trials of this life seem more daily present to my mind and emotions. So that part of the Atonement means a very great deal to me, as I feel I am constantly using it.

I often post my own music video of this song, but I thought I would use someone else's version. See the things that they have tied in as this song has helped them heal and hold fast to the Atonement and its power. And it has the lyrics.



But I want to post mine, too, because I'm pretty attached to it.

Gospel Message Day 94

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 27

Day 27 scripture - Alma 7:11, to which I have to add 12 & 13, since this is one of my favorite passages in all of scripture:

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

All month I have been referring to the things that Jesus did for us while He was on earth, and continues to do for us. These verses sum up the Savior's missions, His reasons for coming. Usually people think of the Savior's sacrifice and Atonement as for our sins. But that wasn't all it covered. These verses tell us that He also took on all the pains we had from everything besides sin. We have pain from health problems, from from financial issues, from cruelty in this world. All kinds of trials are part of this life, and they afflict us in some way, to some degree. The Savior experienced and suffered through every pain and anguish so that at least one person would truly and fully understand what we each individually suffer in this life. Because He knows this, He can show mercy towards us. Because He knows this, He can run to our aid--and be there as soon as we need Him, in the ways that we need Him. Because He knows this, He can better be our advocate when we stand before the judgement bar of God after this life.

Because He knows, we have hope and joy.

They are not really Christmas songs, though I suppose any song about Christ applies for Christmas...and every day. And I know I share them frequently. But there is a reason I love them. They both come from the Joseph Smith oratorio by Rob Gardner, but they are the perfect songs about our Savior.

First, He will never leave us alone and comfortless.



And second, He has redeemed every single one of us.

Gospel Message Day 93

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 26

Day 26 scripture - 2 Nephi 25:26
And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

I LOVE this scripture verse! This is why we keep Christmas all throughout the year: so that we keep Christ with us all year, every day--in our thoughts, hearts, words, deeds. He is our focal point. Our beacon. He is who (and what, I suppose) gives us light, hope, love, grace, mercy, understanding, kindness, and more--whether through the Spirit or through another person. He is the source of all that is good.

I rejoice in my Savior, Jesus Christ. And every day I thank Heavenly Father for sending His Beloved Son, and allowing Him to live and die for each one of us. All in my life is well, good, and joyful because I believe in Christ and I know He has redeemed me.

 

Gospel Message Day 92

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 25

Day 25 scripture - Matthew 2:1-14

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judæa in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judæa: for thus it is written by the prophet,

And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him,bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt

I know. Advent usually leads up to the 25th. I've never seen one go beyond. But it is right that it should. For one as you can tell by the scripture, because the wise men hadn't come, yet. Now starts the 12 days of Christmas which is related to the wise men (even though it actually took the wise men 2 or 3 years to get to the baby, or, as is stated, the young child). Plus, we want to keep Christmas throughout the year. So these Christmas scriptures can go for a few days more.

In recent years, I have often heard a phrase that I love very much: Wise Men Still Seek Him.

Possibly why this song (which sums up all the scriptures we've had in this advent calendar) by Hilary Weeks is on my highest ranked playlist and gets played throughout the year:



Following the Savior each day of our lives--that is the gift we give to the first Gift of Christmas.

Gospel Message Day 91

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 24

Day 24 scripture: Luke:2:12-14

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Well, I already mentioned about the swaddling clothes a couple of days ago. So neat. But the other part of this scripture is something that very much resonates with me: the multitude. I can't imagine them praising in any way except through singing. As my Sterling Singers choir director says, only in singing can one praise with loud volume and still be reverent. :-)

Aside from that, I also find singing the most uplifting way to praise both for the one who gives the praise as well as to those who hear the praise. Singing praises to our Savior involves the giver(s), the hearer(s), and the One Who is praised about. All are renewed, uplifted, and comforted by it. The silent listener can join their heart in resonating and agreeing with what they hear sung. And they are able to praise together.
 

This scripture also puts me in mind of my favorite part of the Forgotten Carols. I have yet to see them live. I have seen part of a recording, but not the whole thing. I have listened to my friend's cassette tape of them. I'm sure I would like them more if I had more of a chance to immerse myself in them and really enjoy them. But I love the story of Handel in that.

Gospel Message Day 90

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 23

Day 23 scripture - Luke 2:8-11

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, 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.

I always hear Linus telling this story.



Because Christmas is all about Son of God coming to save us. Everything else good and wonderful about Christmas stems from its origin. Service. Kindness. Love. Patience. Teaching. Sacrifice. Because those are all things that Christ did for us.

So today's song will relate to the angels mentioned in this scripture. And I'm going to post by the two a cappella groups that I've been recently listening to and loving.



Different for me, but still pretty awesome.


And to close, here is another beautifully amazing and recently created version of Angels from the Realms of Glory, recorded by some LDS artists and combined with the largest live nativity yet. (I had to work and couldn't make it that day, but my brother is in there!) It's the familiar tune of Angels We Have Heard On High, but the lyrics in the verses are different--with that one about Him coming to the temple that I absolutely adore. And this arrangement is quite similar to Wilberg's arrangement which MoTab sings at the end of every Christmas concert. So I love it in many ways.

Gospel Message Day 89

Christmas Scripture Advent Calendar, Part 22

Day 22 scripture - Luke 2:4-7

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, 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.

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, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

I learned the neatest things about the history of swaddling clothes yesterday at church. When a couple was married, strips of cloth were wrapped around their hands (which is where "tying the know" comes from). The wife embroidered the family lineage on the swaddling bands. When the baby was born, those are the bands she wrapped the baby in.

Also, Bethlehem was where they raised the sheep to be sacrificed at the temple in Jerusalem. Those lambs that were intended for the sacrifice needed to be without blemish, but they were rocks about that could scuff them up. So their legs were wrapped in swaddling wraps to keep from getting any blemishes.

I adore the symbolism that we see everywhere relating to the Savior. We see it in stories from the Old Testament. And here we see it in how the Israelites already practiced. The Lamb of God as a baby was wrapped in swaddling bands just as the their sacrificial lambs were; and one day this Lamb--who was without blemish--would be sacrificed for us. The symbolism is amazing to me.

And the song I'm sharing goes with the last verse, in which we need to remember that it is up to us to make room for the Savior in our lives.

"Do You Have Room" Lyrics

They journeyed far, a weary pair
They sought for shelter from the cold night air
Some place where she could lay her head
Where she could give her babe a quiet bed

Was there no room? No corner there?
In all the town a spot someone could spare?
Was there no soul come to their aid?
A stable bare was where the family stayed.

Chorus:
Do you have room for the Savior?
And do you seek Him anew?
Have you a place for the one who lived and died for you?
Are you as humble as a shepherd boy
Or as wise as men of old?
Would you have come that night?
Would you have sought the light?
Do you have room?

A star arose, a wondrous light
A sign from God -- this was the holy night.
And yet so few would go to see
The babe who came to rescue you and me.

This child divine is now a King;
The gift of life to all the world He brings
And all mankind He saves from doom,
But on that night, for Him, there was no room

Chorus

Will you come tonight?
Will you seek the light?
Do you have room?

Lyrics and Music by Shawna Belt Edwards. Performed by April Meservy