Christmas Miracle

The magic of Christmas was brought back into my life last night. We made the trek up to Temple Square in Salt Lake City. I have been there many times before including at Christmas time. It is a beautiful place that holds a special spirit without a doubt. But I don't remember, in previous years, feeling as I did last night. With the fall semester coming to a close, the New Testament class that I have been attending took this last week or so to discuss the Savior's last week of His mortal ministry. As I studied and pondered and prayed, not only to attempt a good grade in the class, but for my own personal understanding, the events that took place have really come to life for me.

When we arrived at Temple Square, the first place we entered was the Visitor's Center with the Statue of Christ in it. I wanted to take Lydia up to see Him. As the line slowly moved up the ramp, I reflected on what it might have been like to literally be waiting in line to see our Savior face to face and to present Lydia for Him to bless personally. I was touched by Lydia's own reverence. The moment that the statue appeared Lydia gasped! "Jesus!" she exclaimed! I could hardly hold her in my arms, her excitement was so apparent. My heart was full as I saw the genuine love that she has already instilled within her for the Savior. She kept telling me, "I want to see!" "I want to look!" There were so many people in there that it was hard for me to tell her she had to wait her turn. I set her down and without a hesitation she raced to see Him closer. What a real experience this was for her and also for me. To see her love for Jesus helped me to remember that she knows Him! And that I know Him and we all do. We have a piece of Him with us already. As I watched her beg to get closer to Him my heart longed to be closer to Him as well. As we were leaving she waved to Him, "Bye Jesus. Bye. Bye Jesus." With tears in my eyes, I whispered to her in hopes that some day she will understand, "Sweetheart, we never have to say good-bye to Jesus." He will never abandon us or leave us alone.

We left the Visitor's Center just in time to witness the narration of the beautiful Nativity scene out on the lawn. Again my heart was so tender this evening. As the images of Mary and Joseph were lit up and I explained to Lydia who they were and who was in their arms as a baby, my emotions were overrun and all I could think of was how incredibly amazing the whole plan of our Father is. Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and Master came into this world just as I did and just as Lydia and every one; as a tiny baby. I looked on that scene and thought of that baby's future; the life that He would lead and the things that He would endure for me. I was filled with gratitude, admiration, and humility as I pondered the beauty of the cause for the celebration this time of year.

The magic again entered my life. The magic that so often is lost as we grow up. As I watched Lydia's eyes light up as I pointed out each of the characters in the Nativity Story. (She especially loves the sheep.) I think I'm beginning to understand (and I probably will continue to for the rest of my life, because that seems to be the way it goes...) why being a mother and father is such an important part of our existence here. Not only being a mother or father I guess, but the importance of children.