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And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem,
More than a hundred years ago, the beloved English poet Christina Rossetti wrote a simple yet thought-provoking Christmas poem:
Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love Divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and Angels gave the sign.1
Every year at this holiday season, we ponder the miracle of the Christmas story. And it certainly is a miraculous story—with angelic visions, a King born in a stable, and a bright new star in the sky. But do miracles belong only to stories from yesteryear, or do they still happen today? If one were to look for modern miracles, perhaps there’s no better place to look than this magical time of year, the Christmas season.
We all appreciate the Golden Rule—Do unto others as you would have them do unto you—and for the most part, we all try to let this principle guide the way we treat other people.
Some time ago, a family was going through a challenging time. Their world seemed to crumble around them, and all of their attention and energy was consumed in their problems. Recognizing that this was not how they wanted to live their lives, they decided to turn to heaven for help.
That’s when a miracle happened. No, their problems didn’t disappear. Rather, a good friend of the family helped them see that they had what she called a “basket” of blessings—and it was “overflowing.” The mother of the family said: “We realized that we were surrounded by goodness and were being cheered on from every side. We began as a family to express our gratitude to each other as well as to the Lord daily.”
On Veterans Day, we give thanks to everyone who has ever donned a uniform of the United States military. This national holiday dates to the close of the First World War and now honors generations of veterans who have fought in many battles in many lands. No matter the conflict, our military men and women of different backgrounds, races, and creeds have long represented the American character at its best: selflessness, honesty, commitment, grit, resilience, and patriotism.
Years ago, a young boy was injured in a terrible car accident. He spent weeks in critical condition and was finally beginning to recover when he contracted a life-threatening virus while in the hospital. Later he was invited to speak to a church congregation about his experiences. Although just 12 years old, he offered insight beyond his years on the problem of pain in the world. He said:
“Some people have asked me what I did wrong to deserve what happened to me. I’m not perfect, but I’m a good boy, and I know this is not something I deserved.
A French proverb says that “little by little, the bird builds its nest.”
In the 1830s, the noted writer Thomas Carlyle learned this truth in a dramatic way. He had embarked on a multiyear effort to write a massive literary work on the French Revolution. Upon finishing the first volume, he gave the manuscript to his friend John Stuart Mill to read. Mill’s servant, however, mistaking the pages for trash, used the manuscript to start a fire. When Carlyle learned of this blunder, he was devastated. Years of hard work had literally gone up in flames! How would he ever rewrite it?
How often have you caught yourself ruminating over something that happened in the past, wishing you had said something or done something differently? We’ve all done this, sometimes replaying an event in our minds, over and over again, the way we wish it would have happened.
It’s good to learn from the past, but looking too long in the rearview mirror can be dangerous. This is especially true when we’ve accumulated hurt feelings or disappointments that we keep revisiting.
If you’ve ever felt lonely, you’re not alone. Most of us feel that way from time to time. In fact, in our busy and so-called “connected” world, loneliness seems to be increasing.
Experts are now saying that loneliness is becoming a public health hazard. As one researcher put it, “Many nations around the world now suggest we are facing a ‘loneliness epidemic.’”1 In England, for example, a telephone hotline has been set up so that those who feel lonely can talk to somebody—about whatever they want, for as long as they want. The hotline receives about 10,000 calls a week.2
Why is it that so much of life’s profound beauty has roots in heartache and sorrow? There seems to be something about human nature that causes us to reach the highest during our lowest points. We see it when tragedies and disasters strike and people come together to love and help each other in ways they’ve never done before. We see it in sublime art and music, which often enough is inspired by hardship and trial, even as it fills us with solace and joy.
The Tabernacle on Temple Square has been the well-known home of The Tabernacle Choir for 150 years. Millions have entered these walls since it was completed in 1867, and millions more will enter for years to come.
The Choir has performed in the great concert halls of the world. But when we return to the Tabernacle for our weekly broadcast and fill this sacred space with the joyful sounds of music, we are home.
Not long ago, people across the country put their lives on hold for a few minutes, gathered with friends and strangers, and gazed into the heavens to see something that happens here only every few decades—a total solar eclipse. The moon passed between the earth and the sun in the North American sky. From the perspective of some observers, the sun was completely eclipsed, and day turned to night for a brief, stunning moment.
We all know that every person has basic needs: food, water, shelter. But we don’t often think of some less-visible needs. The philosopher and psychologist William James is credited with saying, “The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” And yet so many people go days, weeks, months, or even longer without ever hearing a word of thanks or getting any recognition for their good work.
Most of us spend a good portion of our day working. Whether in an office, classroom, or construction site; the garden, home, factory, or field, work is simply a part of life. Usually we are thankful to have work, though we may be anxious to finish it as quickly as possible. Work allows us to provide the necessities of life for ourselves and our loved ones. But have you ever thought of work as a cure for troubles and heartache?
Into every life come moments of rejection. Large or small, rejections sting—and sometimes keep stinging for a long time.
For example, a man toiled many weeks on a proposal at work. He carefully researched and prepared what he thought was a worthwhile offering. He worked long days, and sometimes long nights, to get the proposal just right before submitting it. After days of anxiously waiting, he received word that his submission was turned down. How should he proceed from here?
It’s fair to say that the world would be better if people were a little more mature. We hear of conflict and anger on our roads and in our homes, we know of dangers and discord around the world, and we wish more people would “act their age.” But that doesn’t necessarily mean we need more senior citizens—in fact, most would agree that maturity is not merely a matter of age or even experience. A person may be old in years and not very mature; on the other hand, we are often surprised by the maturity of young people. Yes, maturity is more than years.
We’ve all heard the wise advice “Don’t believe everything you hear.” But there’s also wisdom in a similar idea: “Don’t believe everything you think,” because some false information may come from our own thoughts. We may think things about ourselves and others that simply are not true—thoughts like “I can never change” or “I can’t forgive this person” or “I’m not good enough” or “She doesn’t like me.” The danger of such thoughts is that they don’t stay thoughts for long. They can quickly harden into beliefs that affect the way we see the world. Soon those beliefs become actions that can limit our progress, damage our relationships, and hinder our happiness.
It’s been said that the little things are the big things. This applies to many aspects of life, but especially to the small courtesies, the little acts of kindness that end up making a big difference. Truly, from the small and simple comes that which is great. It happens when a seedling is nurtured and grows into a strong tree, and it happens when little kindnesses help people blossom and grow. It’s one of the most important ways we make a difference in the world.
You are stronger than you may think. It’s easy to forget that in the midst of life’s storms, when adversity leaves us feeling shaken and weak. But a tree that bends in the wind is not necessarily weak. Just as the unseen roots deep below the ground give the tree its stability, we too have strength that can be hidden even to ourselves. In fact, it often reveals itself only in times of challenge.
In the 1800s, hundreds of pioneers crossed the Great Plains, seeking refuge in the unsettled American West. They walked through rain, wind, dust, and sun. They faced buffalo stampedes, rattlesnakes, and wolves. Many buried loved ones along the trail. The final leg of their trek may have been the most daunting: “Hills piled on hills, and mountains on mountains, in every direction.” But they pressed on, eventually reaching the land of their dreams.
Have you ever heard this protest from a child: “It just isn’t fair!” When a cake or pie needs to be cut up and shared among siblings, children love to carefully scrutinize each piece to ensure they get their fair share.
“How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives,”1 and for many of us, that means too much time apart from nature. Surrounded by walls, buildings, and window coverings, we don’t get outside, or even look outside, as much as we could.
Not long ago, an elite high school tennis team competed in the state championship tournament. Even though many members of the team were favored to win their individual matches, six of the seven were defeated in various rounds of tournament play. It seemed that the team would surely lose its first-place rank. But when all the points were added, the team ended up winning the state title! Despite the individual losses, the team—together—earned enough points to win the championship.
Life can be so unpredictable—joys and sorrows, beautiful blessings and distressing difficulties, can come unexpectedly. Our life’s dreams and plans can change in an instant. We all know this to be true. So how can we find peace amid such turbulence?
Horatio Spafford knew something about life’s unexpected challenges. He was a successful attorney and real estate investor who lost a fortune in the great Chicago fire of 1871. Around the same time, his beloved four-year-old son died of scarlet fever.
For nearly 40 years, a father worked hard in a steel mill to provide for his family. The work was difficult, hot, and gritty, with changing shifts and long hours. He may have wished he had pursued a different line of work or that he had better options. But he also felt a deep sense of duty and responsibility. So every morning he got up and went to work—and somehow managed to do it with a good attitude.
This father represents countless others who work hard to provide for their families; they labor day in and day out to give their loved ones a good life.
It probably goes without saying that everybody wants to find happiness. Who wouldn’t like to be happy all the time? But life isn’t that way, is it? And maybe it isn’t meant to be. After all, if we never felt sorrow and distress, would we really appreciate happiness—or even recognize it? Religious leader James E. Faust put it this way: “Happiness is not given to us in a package that we can just open up and consume. Nobody is ever happy 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rather than thinking in terms of a day, we perhaps need to snatch happiness in little pieces, learning to recognize the elements of happiness and then treasuring them while they last.”1
Even as advances in communication help people around the world connect like never before, it also seems that division and discord around the world are reaching new levels. Differing beliefs, values, and convictions too often lead to hostility and even conflict. We may wonder how we can find peace and security in what can be an unsettling world.
In his inaugural address on January 20, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy made a statement that nearly 60 years later bears reminding: “And so, my fellow Americans,” he said, “ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”1
Why is it that so many of us cry at weddings—even if we don’t know the happy couple that well? Few moments evoke such tenderness of feeling as the union of two people who pledge to live their lives as one. A new beginning unlike any other, a wedding invites us to think about life and its purposes a little more deeply.