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Christmas Through the Ages

Not all truth is of equal value. There are some things to know that are of more worth and power than all others. This is one of them. 

Nephi desired to see, hear, and know for himself the things which his father had seen relative to the Tree of Life. In response he was caught up into a high mountain upon which he had never before set his foot. He then saw the tree and asked to know what it meant. In response, Nephi saw Mary at Nazareth followed by selected scenes from that first Christmas. Immediately after, he saw the mortal ministry of the Messiah. He would later say, “Mine eyes have beheld great things, yea even too great for man”.

Then Benjamin was awakened by an angel who taught him of the coming of the Lord God Omnipotent and His redemptive mission. Benjamin was also told the story of Christmas. 

Then Ammon taught King Lamoni the gospel and at that moment when Lamoni began to pray he was overpowered by the Spirit and fell into some sort of divine coma. Ammon perceived that Lamoni was “under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil of unbelief was being cast away from his mind”. The following day, according to Ammon’s promise, Lamoni arose and declared to his wife: “As sure as thou livest, behold I have seen my Redeemer and He shall come forth and be born of a woman, and He shall redeem all mankind who believe on His name”. Lamoni saw the scenes of Christmas and the Savior’s Atonement. 

Finally, Samuel the Lamanite stood atop the wall of Zarahemla and called the Nephites to repentance. He told them that “five years more cometh, and behold then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who believe on His name. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of His coming: for behold there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness”.

He described that remarkable day and then added: “And behold there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this shall be a sign unto you….And it shall come to pass that ye shall all be amazed, and wonder, insomuch that ye shall fall to the earth”.

And five years later, on that first Nephite Christmas, they did fall to the earth in stunned amazement and were converted as a nation.

The birth of the Messiah is a truth so powerful that since the beginning of time angels and prophets have shown and declared it in plainness and simplicity to convert their people. 

Please consider the meaning of these words: The Lord God Omnipotent came down to earth as the Son of Almighty God. He descended to take upon Him mortal flesh in weakness and obscurity, and then bore all of the sins, sufferings, and weaknesses of all men that he might redeem all men. He then did what no other had done or could do, he rose triumphant from the tomb and came back for us. He is our Savior, Redeemer, and friend. 

Thank God for Christmas when we are reminded who and what we celebrate. 

Sources:

2 Nephi 4:25

Alma 19:6

Helaman 14:3, 5, 7