MERRY CHRISTMAS!! He that hath ears to hear, let
him hear! For He Lives! For the Son of Man is come to save that which
was lost! He was born, let us
rejoice in that fact!
We all know how the story begins, how the "world" was taxed and as the shepherds on this particular evening, abided in the field, and keeping watch over their flocks by the moonlight. As an angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they feared. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, a joy that no other could have brought to these men. The angel continues, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Guided by the star they found The Gift, the ultimate gift, he Son of the Living God. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)
On the streets of Kyoto, as the people pass by, I want them to know about this Gift and the hope that is Jesus Christ. Hope that one day we will overcome death, one day we will live with those whom we have lost, and one day return to our heavenly home. We give to others in remembrance of the Father’s Gift to us. Christ gave up himself for us, and it is only through Christ that our wounds can heal, our mistakes mended, and show us the way so His light can shine through our own cracks.
A few days ago we were talking with some Vietnamese soccer players at the park. It was casual conversation and then an Elder I was with asked at one point what this woman's views were on religion (in a way subtle way. I actually can't remember how because I sometimes can't understand Japanese. He asked something along the lines of wouldn't it be nice if there was one right way, if there was a faith that didn't have so much confusion. If there were a religion like that, would you want to know more about it? I watched as this woman thought for a moment and then said, "Yeah, I'd want to know more about it. But where can I? How can I?" I smiled at this opportunity I talked to her about when we could meet to tell her more. This special experience was simple, it may seem typical to you, but to me I could see her as a child of our Heavenly Father. She wanted to know the truth and I could give it to her! I get to tell her of the Gift, the love, the light.
Sometimes it feels impossible to see the light. We have all felt broken, lost, unwanted, unloved, scared, helpless, or hopeless. We have all feared, we have all doubted. It seems that while in this time we choose to wander further in darkness...One friend of mine on the mission described it like this:
On the path to the tree of life you hold on to the rod. They tell you to hold on tight to never let go, but we are human of course we'll let go. Things pull and tug at us, our eyes are deceived and our hearts are weak. So then we wander in darkness, in a haze of unseen obstacles, tripping and falling and crawling to find a way out. Illuminating the path, beneath the iron rod are small lights. Like the lights on a tarmac for airplanes these lights act as guides. Even if we step off for a few moments, move away a few feet we can see the lights guiding us. The journey is not one we take alone. Those who cling to the rod carry with them their own light, the light that Christ fills them with. We can't let ourselves sit in the darkness. We have to move forward towards the light. With just the smallest amount of light , the darkness is divided.
We all know how the story begins, how the "world" was taxed and as the shepherds on this particular evening, abided in the field, and keeping watch over their flocks by the moonlight. As an angel appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round about them and they feared. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good
tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, a joy that no other could have brought to these men. The angel continues, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."
Guided by the star they found The Gift, the ultimate gift, he Son of the Living God. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)
On the streets of Kyoto, as the people pass by, I want them to know about this Gift and the hope that is Jesus Christ. Hope that one day we will overcome death, one day we will live with those whom we have lost, and one day return to our heavenly home. We give to others in remembrance of the Father’s Gift to us. Christ gave up himself for us, and it is only through Christ that our wounds can heal, our mistakes mended, and show us the way so His light can shine through our own cracks.
A few days ago we were talking with some Vietnamese soccer players at the park. It was casual conversation and then an Elder I was with asked at one point what this woman's views were on religion (in a way subtle way. I actually can't remember how because I sometimes can't understand Japanese. He asked something along the lines of wouldn't it be nice if there was one right way, if there was a faith that didn't have so much confusion. If there were a religion like that, would you want to know more about it? I watched as this woman thought for a moment and then said, "Yeah, I'd want to know more about it. But where can I? How can I?" I smiled at this opportunity I talked to her about when we could meet to tell her more. This special experience was simple, it may seem typical to you, but to me I could see her as a child of our Heavenly Father. She wanted to know the truth and I could give it to her! I get to tell her of the Gift, the love, the light.
Sometimes it feels impossible to see the light. We have all felt broken, lost, unwanted, unloved, scared, helpless, or hopeless. We have all feared, we have all doubted. It seems that while in this time we choose to wander further in darkness...One friend of mine on the mission described it like this:
On the path to the tree of life you hold on to the rod. They tell you to hold on tight to never let go, but we are human of course we'll let go. Things pull and tug at us, our eyes are deceived and our hearts are weak. So then we wander in darkness, in a haze of unseen obstacles, tripping and falling and crawling to find a way out. Illuminating the path, beneath the iron rod are small lights. Like the lights on a tarmac for airplanes these lights act as guides. Even if we step off for a few moments, move away a few feet we can see the lights guiding us. The journey is not one we take alone. Those who cling to the rod carry with them their own light, the light that Christ fills them with. We can't let ourselves sit in the darkness. We have to move forward towards the light. With just the smallest amount of light , the darkness is divided.
President Uchtdorf said, “Spiritual light rarely comes to those who merely sit in darkness waiting for someone to flip a switch. It takes an act of faith to open our eyes to the Light of Christ. Spiritual light cannot be discerned by carnal eyes. Jesus Christ Himself taught, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (The Hope of God’s Light) April 2013.
He is the light! He is the way! As I have read though the gospels this December I have come to see that the light is Christ. He is the answer. Time and time again he calls to those and in their faith, they come(Mark 10:47-52).
My beloved family, my
wonderful friends, I have to tell you all that I love being a
missionary. It has been the most rewarding, fulfilling, absolutely fantastic
experience I have ever had the pleasure to take part of. I am grateful to know that we can one day
return to him. I’m so grateful that he
was born. I know with all of my
soul that he lives, that he is intelligent, that he knows you and me. His light is real! It is available to all! It gives life to all things. It has the power to soften the sting of the
deepest wound. In the words of a
hymn, "Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives, 'I know that my Redeemer lives!'"
Rejoice! For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and...His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
To my two best friends in the whole world: I love you! You are both amazing! I miss hanging out with you two and the crazy shinanagins we use to get into. I seriously can't wait to hug you both but for now we'll just skype! Emma, your beautiful and smart don't forget to be silly, don't forget to speak up and speak out! Your voice is also beautiful I miss hearing it! Liam you are so handsome, use your good looks for good not evil haha, but really your humor always puts a smile on my face and I miss your hugs. I love you both! I know that Christ lives! I know that he has promised me that he will protect you! I pray for you both everyday!
Mom and dad I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to hear your voices again. I’m so thankful for the two of you.
Until next time!!!
Love,
Rejoice! For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and...His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
To my two best friends in the whole world: I love you! You are both amazing! I miss hanging out with you two and the crazy shinanagins we use to get into. I seriously can't wait to hug you both but for now we'll just skype! Emma, your beautiful and smart don't forget to be silly, don't forget to speak up and speak out! Your voice is also beautiful I miss hearing it! Liam you are so handsome, use your good looks for good not evil haha, but really your humor always puts a smile on my face and I miss your hugs. I love you both! I know that Christ lives! I know that he has promised me that he will protect you! I pray for you both everyday!
Mom and dad I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to hear your voices again. I’m so thankful for the two of you.
Until next time!!!
Love,
Sister Oswald
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