"...look forward unto Christ with steadfastness..." (2 nephi 26:8)

As I look forward at the rapidly approaching Christmas season I realize I make a yearly promise that "this season will be different". I promise myself that I will worry less about shopping, getting stuff, and being places and do more for the people I love. The "do more" would be spend time with my family, and serve my neighbors, be aware of those in need and "lift the hands that hang down and the feeble knees" (Hebrews 12:12) and really give the gift of love the Savior taught to give. I realize that it isn't just a seasonal problem or dilemma. It is a year round challenge to "look forward unto Christ with steadfastness" (2 nephi 26:8) and to continually "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written" (Ether 12:41) and do testify of.

In the Old Testament Lot's wife didn't look forward, but "looked back" (Genesis 19:26). She wanted to return to the former life they had in Sodom and Gomorrah. I seem to have the same problem with my Christmas planning. Procrastination isn't a very good gift for me to be giving on a regular basis, and going on a personal guilt trip doesn't make the Christmas season much of a vacation. It isn't a very relaxed time of the year. Shoving aside all my weaknesses, and wiping the slate clean is a real challenge for me. But, Christ has said and promised, "Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me" (D&C 19:23). Notice, we must learn and listen and walk. He has given us a formula we can follow.

In our day and age people really like science and want proof and evidence. One formula that is guaranteed peace, from "The Prince of Peace" Himself (Isaiah 9:6; 2 Nephi 19:6) is: learn of Christ; listen to His words; walk in the meekness of His Spirit. Christ looked forward. He suffered in Gethsemane "being in an agony...and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground" (Luke 22:44). He then was taken prisoner and abandoned by his friends (Luke 22:47-62), yet, He looked forward. "They mocked Him, and smote Him" (Luke 22:63-71) which we would now call the worst kind of bullying ever. He was tried unfairly (see Luke 23:13-24), and then, looking forward, He carried his own cross and was then crucified (see Luke 23:26). The wonderful joy is that He did not remain in the grave. The angels stated, "He is not here, but is risen" (Luke 24:6). At His death He looked forward knowing He would rise again (see Mark 16:9; Luke 24:39; 3 Nephi 11:12-15).

Ahead there is great joy! Faith in Christ always leads to joy. I hope to focus this coming Christmas season on Christ, just as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf has said. "[Christmas] should...be a time of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for that blessed day when He will come again. Let us be as wise as those ancients who watched for His coming. As His disciples, let us have in our hearts and minds the words of John: "Even so, come, Lord Jesus" (Seeing Christmas through New Eyes). May we "look forward unto Christ with steadfastness" (2 nephi 26:8) not only in the coming Christmas season, but every day of the year. There is great joy as we look forward with faith in Christ. This I testify.

Our family looking forward to the coming year (taken New Year's Eve 2013). Here's to the coming Christmas season and all that is ahead!