Christmas is the Love of God

After Lehi explains his vision of the Tree of Life to his sons in 1 Nephi 8, Nephi is really confused. Hard to blame him, since Lehi just talks about a tree with some fruit, an iron rod leading to it, a big river, a big building, and lots of confusion. I don't know if I would understand that either. But, Nephi does the right thing and prays to understand it. And I LOVE the way he is answered in 1 Nephi 11.

An angel comes to him, and Nephi asks for the interpretation of the tree, itself. Rather than straight-up answering his question, the angel shows him the following in verse 13:

"And it came to pass that I looked and beheld the great city of Jerusalem, and also other cities. And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white."

If you couldn't guess,  the angel explains a few verses later that that virgin is the "mother of the Son of God," in other words, Mary.

Still, Nephi doesn't quite get the point. The angel continues to show him a vision, though, and verse 20 reads:

 "And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms."

Hopefully you can take a guess as to who this is. The angel's words are beautiful, though, so I'll use his from verse 21:

"Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!"

The point I'm making is here, though. Immediately after saying this, the angel asks Nephi if he knows the meaning of the tree. The miraculous part? He does.

"Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things."

What? Just from seeing Mary and Jesus, Nephi comprehends the love of God? The same love of God that was just represented in a tree?

Now, here's the real question: When you see Christmas decorations or even just think about the holiday, do you feel the love of God? Do you think about His unbelievable love that He clearly has to give up His son for us?

I especially love the end of Nephi's answer there: "It is the most desirable above all things." To make it better, the angel adds, "Yea, and the most joyous to the soul."

Christ's birth represents that which is most desirable and most joyous! I love Christmas, because I love the Savior! Have a great holiday season, and remember why we are celebrating!