Guest Writer and Speaker, My Sister--

As promised, my sister Valerie Ipson's talk in the Noble Ward (Mesa, AZ) on December 20, 2020. With her permission--she is my first guest blogger--

"TALK given Christmas Sunday, 2020

INTRO. This story was shared in the Ensign this month by a Jakob R. Jones… (January 2020, p. 31)

One November evening I arrived home to discover my children had transformed their bedroom into a Christmas wonderland. Christmas trees, sparkling garland, strings of lights, and paper snowflakes adorned the corners, bed frames, walls, and ceiling…That magnificent Christmas scene warmed our home and hearts.

Another of my favorite Christmas scenes was described by the prophet Nephi. Nephi’s father, Lehi, shared a dream wherein he saw a beautiful tree whose fruit filled his soul with joy (see 1 Nephi 8:12). Nephi desired that he too might see the tree that his father described. In answer to prayer, Nephi was shown a vision. Nephi’s account of that experience is, for me, a beautiful Christmas story.

He wrote:

“And it came to pass after I had seen the tree, I said unto the Spirit: I behold thou hast shown unto me the tree which is precious above all.

“And he said unto me: What desirest thou?

“And I said unto him: To know the interpretation thereof …

“… And I beheld the city of Nazareth; and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin. …

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

“And the angel said unto me: Behold the Lamb of God, yea, even the Son of the Eternal Father!” (1 Nephi 11:9–11, 13, 18, 20–21).

I think it is significant that when Nephi asked to know the meaning of the tree, he was shown the first Christmas. The Spirit then asked if Nephi understood the meaning of the tree. Nephi gave this inspired response:

“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.”

 The Spirit added, “Yea, and the most joyous to the soul” (1 Nephi 11:22–23).

…the thing most desirable and joyous to our souls is to feel the love of God through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is the real gift of Christmas.

XXX

The birth of a baby is always something to celebrate, but that’s not why a multitude of the heavenly host praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

The angel that first appeared to the shepherds told them, and us, why they celebrated: “I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord.”

The Savior was born!

Surely we were part of that heavenly host. Surely we praised God because our one and only hope had begun His earthly mission.

 As the beloved Christmas song, O Holy Night, declares:

“A thrill of hope, a weary world rejoices

For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn”

For a world on both sides of the veil.

This is what we celebrate at Christmas. That God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son. And that Son Jesus Christ also “so loved the world” that He, a God, condescended to come to earth as a lowly babe. A child who grew in stature and wisdom, who through strict obedience followed the will of the Father to fulfill His mission.

He did ALL the Father asked of Him, and ALL that we could hope in Him. And very soon His mission would take Him to a Garden called Gethsemane.

Our family lived in Israel for a few years in the late 90’s. I remember our first visit to the Garden of Gethsemane. There is a church built around a huge rock as if to imply that this is where Jesus knelt and performed the Atonement. People line up to touch the rock, some literally fall to their knees and kiss the rock. After our visit my oldest daughter asked if it really was THE rock. I said, probably not, who would know for sure. But maybe it doesn’t matter if it is if it causes people to think about their Savior and what He has done for them.

Today we are a weary world…

A few years ago I was serving in a busy church calling…after reading about Nephi in the book of Helaman—how he was praised for working with unwearyingness. That word stuck with me: unwearyingness (I can’t even do it justice, you have to read it. You’ll have to look it up--verses 4 and 5 of chapter 10).

Finally I wrote on a sticky note BE UNWEARY! And I stuck it to my bathroom mirror. The next day my husband had added another sticky note that said: DON’T WEARY, BE HAPPY! If you didn’t laugh at that then you are too young to remember that popular song—Don’t Worry, Be Happy. --he thought he was cute.

But the sentiment is true—we don’t need to weary and we don’t need to worry…be happy. Joy to the world, the Lord is come.

3 Nephi 27:14

“And my Father sent me that I might be a lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up…”

My faith in Jesus Christ is what sustains me and lifts me each and every day. Some of you might think I’m new to the ward, truth is my family moved into this ward in 1999. We filled a whole bench with our eight kids back in the day. For 3 1/2 years my husband served as bishop in the Pueblo ward until his unexpected death last July so that is what brings me back to my home ward.

Anyway, two stories to close with, both about death. I know, what is all this talk of death at Christmastime?—it’s supposed to be a celebration of birth. It’s because birth, death, resurrection—every step of the plan of salvation has the hand of our Savior in it.

As mentioned we lived in Israel. My mom passed away six weeks before we moved there. I was grieving her death and my greatest desire became to visit the Garden Tomb. It may not be the actual tomb of Christ, but it’s a symbol of it and I longed to be in that place. After a few months the logistics with travel and the Sabbath and when things are open worked out for us to go. The tomb, of course, is empty. They’ve attached a door to it that is open when visitors are there. On the door is a sign that says HE IS NOT HERE, HE IS RISEN. As I placed my hand on that door, only two words came to my mind: THANK YOU. I was filled with gratitude for the Resurrection and what Christ had done so that I would see my mom again.

Fast forward to last September, six weeks after the death of my husband. I took a trip to Utah and my greatest desire was to see the Jordan River Temple where we were married. I was worried—I knew it would be hard and emotional, but I longed to be in that place. It was closed but the gates were open. I went up by myself and I touched the door of the temple. Instead of sadness, though, I felt JOY. It consumed me—joy and gratitude that we were sealed for eternity.

CHRIST MADE THIS POSSIBLE. Christ made all of this possible.

CONCLUSION:

We are a weary world right now. I know I’m weary.

But maybe, possibly, for the very first time, we’ll celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Yes, a glorious child was born but this baby became the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. He became our Redeemer, who performed His Atonement in our behalf—the Atonement that even now lifts me and sustains me in my grief, and I know it lifts and sustains you everyday. He accomplished the Resurrection which holds the promise of life beyond death—a promise we cling to like never before when we have lost loved ones. He offers Eternal Life, a life with Him, and with our families, which for some, like me, can’t come too soon.

So fall on your knees, hear the angel voices…

This is worth celebrating."

Isn't that amazing--both the doctrine taught and the amazing way my sister put it together!  Thanks, Valerie.  I love it and will reread it over this holiday and holidays to come.