Tonight for Christmas Eve, my family read the Christmas story and then read old testament scriptures and modern day prophetic quotes about each element of the Nativity. It was so great because all the prophets - ancient and modern - focus on this singular event in history and I wanted to share.
Virgin Mary
1 Nephi 11:14-18, Alma 7:10
“…some few of the greatest characters of scripture have been women of integrity, accomplishment, and faith.
We have Esther, Naomi, and Ruth of the Old Testament. We have Sariah of the Book of Mormon. We have Mary, the very mother of the Redeemer of the world. We have her as the chosen of God, described by Nephi as “a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins” (1 Ne. 11:15).
She it was who carried the child Jesus into Egypt to save His life from the wrath of Herod. She it was who nurtured Him in His boyhood and young manhood. She stood before Him when His pain-wracked body hung upon the cross on Calvary’s hill. In His suffering He said to her, “Woman, behold thy son!” And to His disciple in a plea that he care for her, He said, “Behold thy mother!” (John 19:26–27).
The women in our lives are creatures endowed with particular qualities, divine qualities, which cause them to reach out in kindness and with love to those about them. We can encourage that outreach if we will give them opportunity to give expression to the talents and impulses that lie within them. In our old age my beloved companion said to me quietly one evening, ‘You have always given me wings to fly, and I have loved you for it.’
“Women are such a necessary part of the plan of happiness which our Heavenly Father has outlined for us. That plan cannot operate without them.”
(OCTOBER 2004, The Women in Our Lives, GORDON B. HINCKLEY)
Bethlehem (the "House of Bread" paving the way for the "Bread of Life")
Micah 5:2
“For those of us who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, our privilege to magnify our callings is ever present. We are shepherds watching over Israel. The hungry sheep look up, ready to be fed the bread of life. Brethren, our task is to reach out to those who, for whatever reason, are in need of our help. Our challenge is not insurmountable. We are on the Lord’s errand, and therefore we are entitled to the Lord’s help. But we must try. From the play Shenandoah comes the spoken line which inspires: ‘If we don’t try, then we don’t do; and if we don’t do, then why are we here?’
“Ours is the responsibility to so conduct our lives that when the call comes to provide a priesthood blessing or to assist in any way, we are worthy to do so. We have been told that truly we cannot escape the effect of our personal influence. We must be certain that our influence is positive and uplifting.”
(October 2006, True to Our Priesthood Trust, Pres. Monson)
Angel
Luke 2:9-11 (Shepherds); Luke 1:31 (Mary)
“As each sister in the Church does her part to ensure that the purposes of Relief Society are fulfilled, angels will be our associates and we will be participants in amazing miracles.” (Julie B. Beck, “Using RS Meetings to Teach and Inspire” Sept 2010)
“President Joseph F. Smith further clarified: “The priesthood … is … the power of God delegated to man by which man can act in the earth for the salvation of the human family, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost, and act legitimately; not assuming that authority, nor borrowing it from generations that are dead and gone, but authority that has been given in this day in which we live by ministering angels and spirits from above, direct from the presence of Almighty God.” (Thomas S. Monson, “Willing and Worthy to Serve” Apr 2012)
Stable
Isaiah 1:3
“The hinge of history is on the door of a Bethlehem stable.” (Ralph Sockman.) The name Jesus Christ and what it represents has been plowed deep into the history of the world, never to be uprooted.”
(Spencer W. Kimball, Why Call Me Lord, And Do Not the Things Which I Say?” April 1975)
Multitude of Angels
Luke 2:13-14
"Angels rejoice as priesthood leaders across the world build Zion in their wards, stakes, and missions. And they will rejoice over the young men and women you help to build Zion wherever they are and in whatever circumstances they may be. Zion is the result of people bound by covenant and love. I invite you to help your youth to join.” (Henry B. Eyring, Oct 2012, “Help them aim High”)
Shepherds (the "missionaries")
Luke 2:15-17
“I ask for a stronger and more devoted voice, a voice not only against evil and him who is the personification of it, but a voice for good, a voice for the gospel, a voice for God. …unbind your tongues and watch your words work wonders in the lives of those “who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”
Haste to the battle, quick to the field;
Truth is our helmet, buckler, and shield.
Stand by our colors; proudly they wave!
We’re joyfully, joyfully marching to our home.
(Jeffrey R. Holland, We are all Enlisted, Oct 2011)
Wisemen
Matt 2: 1-2
“Sadly, the wisdom of the world can deceive capable people. Joseph Smith said it this way: ‘There are a great many wise men, and women too, in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake.’”
(Neil L. Andersen, “Reverence for God is the beginning of wisdom,” Jan 2013)
Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh
Matt 1:11
“He gave us the gift of a Savior, His perfect Son, the Lamb without blemish. By personal appearance of the Father Himself and of the Son, and through angels, He has restored the Church of Jesus Christ in the latter days. He has called prophets and apostles to guide us to safety in this life and eternal life in the world to come. Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected that we may live again, that we may be purified and cleansed from sin, prepared for the glory of eternal life. Those are gifts to us that we can offer to others for Him. We do that by remembering Him and trying with all our hearts to do what He would do and love as He loves. There was a song in a film years ago with the line “Have yourself a merry little Christmas.” Well, you can give a great and wonderful Christmas if you remember the gifts God has given you and, as best you can, offer them to others as He would. That is the spirit of Christmas and of true happiness every day.”
(The Gifts of Christmas, Henry B. Eyring)
Star
Helaman 14:5
“Recall the new star that announced the birth at Bethlehem? It was in its precise orbit long before it so shone. We are likewise placed in human orbits to illuminate. Divine correlation functions not only in the cosmos but on this planet, too.” (OCTOBER 2002, Encircled in the Arms of His Love, NEAL A. MAXWELL)
Jesus
Isaiah 9:6, 1 Ne. 10:4
“Now, before we leave today, may I share with you my love for the Savior and for His great atoning sacrifice for us. In three weeks’ time the entire Christian world will be celebrating Easter. I believe that none of us can conceive the full import of what Christ did for us in Gethsemane, but I am grateful every day of my life for His atoning sacrifice in our behalf.
At the last moment, He could have turned back. But He did not. He passed beneath all things that He might save all things. In doing so, He gave us life beyond this mortal existence. He reclaimed us from the Fall of Adam.
To the depths of my very soul, I am grateful to Him. He taught us how to live. He taught us how to die. He secured our salvation.
As I close, may I share with you touching words written by Emily Harris which describe so well my feelings as Easter comes:
The linen which once held Him is empty.
It lies there,
Fresh and white and clean.
The door stands opened.
The stone is rolled away,
And I can almost hear the angels singing His praises.
Linen cannot hold Him.
Stone cannot hold Him.
The words echo through the empty limestone chamber,
“He is not here.”
The linen which once held Him is now empty.
It lies there,
Fresh and white and clean
And oh, hallelujah, it is empty”
(Thomas S. Monson,”At Parting,” May 2011)
I am so glad for prophets - old and new (and the new ones are old...) - who prophesy and teach about of Jesus Christ! It isn't the prophets' church, it belongs to Jesus and He leads it (D&C 1:38...). I know He came and I know he'll come again! Merry Christmas!
