For God So Loved The World

This last week we were invited by the missionaries and the Bishop and his wife to go Christmas caroling. Based on prior years of caroling at Christmastime with my friends in the little town of Ucon, I tried to learn "Jingle Bells" in Spanish. I hopped on YouTube only to find that there are about 12 versions of "Jingle Bells" in Spanish and they are ALL different. Hummmmm. How was I going to learn "Jingle Bells" for caroling? I was thinking that we would perhaps sing mostly hymns with a few "fun" songs thrown in there. Well, I never did figure out how to sing "Cascabels" and I decided that I would just pick it up from the sister missionaries when we went. I also planned that I would take along the traditional tambourine and shakers because I thought that adding rhythm would definitely add to our singing.

As the night approached to go caroling, I reflected back on the days of Christmas caroling with my friends in Ucon, Idaho. As youth, we always bundled up tight as we went door to door. Often, if they knew us, we would get invited in to get warm for a bit and almost always, we would be offered a treat. I just loved the feeling of doing one of my most favorite things - singing, while enjoying the Christmas spirit. As I thought about these times, I had a hard time converting to the idea of caroling in the "heat" instead of the cold. I wondered what it would be like.

As we met on that Thursday night at the bishop's home, he asked if each of us would be prepared to give a short message and testimony at a home. He assigned me to be ready for house #2. My heart dropped because I was scared to death that I would say the wrong thing. I immediately starting fervently praying in my head. You see, I try my best to speak Spanish, but at times, I really wonder if I say the right thing. Have you seen the "Other Side Of Heaven" movie? The missionary talks about "an outhouse" without knowing of his mistake? Well, back in 2013 during a family home evening with a less active family, I was talking about fish instead of sin. fish = pescado  and sin = pecado. My husband had to correct me. So, you can imagine my anxiety. Yikes.

Luckily, we decided to drive to the first home. Okay. So no walking around the neighborhood. Well, that changes things. I discovered very quickly that this was a different kind of "caroling" and that I was in for an experience, not like the others.

Thank goodness for a smart phone. I quickly thought about how I could search for a scripture in English and then switch my phone to Spanish and be able to read the message correctly. The scripture that came to mind was:

We had been in several stores that week and there were beautiful gifts everywhere. There were advertisements to buy gifts and as you know, it felt like "it" was there at every turn... Christmas commercializing at its best. I was prompted to talk about this and then talk about the GREATEST gift ever given was God giving His son to us. I felt good about my little message and testimony, although meek.

What happened later that night was a wonderful tender mercy. As I was scrolling the church social media page for a minute, it had this exact scripture! I felt a little confirmation that I had done the right thing and received the inspiration correctly.

I didn't learn Jingle Bells in Spanish. We didn't use the musical instruments. We never even went technically "house to house" but we did visit the sick, the poor, those who hung their heads, those who were poor in spirit, those who had not been with us for awhile. The messages and hymns sung were uplifting to those we sought out and I can't think of a better Christmas caroling night.

This time of year, take the time to do meaningful things. I loved the First Presidency's Christmas Devotional.

 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/church/events/2019-first-presidency-christmas...


If you haven't watched it yet, I would highly recommend it for a family activity. It will release stress and put all things into focus. It is one of my favorites!

I challenge you to ponder on the GREATEST gift that has been given, even Jesus Christ, Savior of the World and His atoning sacrifice for us. I know that He lives! I know his atonement works! I am so grateful for this magnificent gift. I love the work that I am doing here in Puerto Rico. I know that we can be uplifted this year instead of bogged down if we focus on Him, even Jesus Christ.