Have I Helped Anyone in Need?

While I was listening to Christmas music today, a special song really touched my heart. In between hearing about Mama Kissing Santa Clause and how All I Want For Christmas is You, I heard one of my favorite songs of all time that brought Christmas back into perspective for me today. It is Mary Did You Know and I would like to share these special lyrics with all of you:

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy

Has come to make you new?

This child that you delivered,

Will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Will give sight to a blind man?

Mary did you know that your baby boy,

Will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy,

Has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little baby,

You kiss the Son of God.

The blind will see.

The deaf will hear.

The dead will live again.

The lame will leap.

The dumb will speak.

The praises of our Lamb.

Mary did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Lord of all creation?

Mary did you know that your Baby Boy

Would one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your Baby Boy

Is Heaven's perfect Lamb?

The sleeping child your holding,

Is the great I AM.

When I heard this sweet song, I was reminded that Christmas isn't about the lists, the gifts, the food, the decorations, the cards, or even the songs. It is about remembering our Savior and trying to be a little more like Him. It is about remembering that He lived, He loved, He served, and He died for each of us. The best gift that we can give to Him at this time of year is to find ways to serve those around us. We were reminded during

this last conference by President Monson that, "Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish--and in effect save their lives...How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help? And yet how often has day-to-day living interfered and you've left it for others to help, feeling that 'oh, surely someone will take care of that need.' We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives." Christ was never too busy to help those in need. Like the song said, He healed the sick, raised the dead, and loved us enough to die for us. All He asks for in return is this, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

If we love our Savior, we need to serve those around us. There are so many who are sick, poor, and in need of comfort. We need to be like the Good Samaritan and be aware of the needs of those around us and being willing to take the time out of our busy lives to actually reach out and help. I challenge myself and all of you to find those people who stand in need of comfort and obey Christ's commandment to love one another, not only during this wonderful Christmas season but throughout the entire year.