Reason 19: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it was simple. Often, we think we need to make things grand in order to make them monumental. Christ's birth, however, teaches that we don't need to do things on a huge scale in order for them to be important. It happened in a stable rather than a palace. Shepards were invited rather than princes and kings. Mary was a simple, ordinary girl rather than a women of power and influence. Joseph was a lowly carpenter To the everyday Jewish man, the birth of the Savior appeared to have no more importance than that of their neighbor's. In fact, in many cases, the circumstances made it something people frowned at rather than rejoiced over. The Savior was born into plain, lower than ordinary, seemingly unimportant circumstances. If something as important as the birth of the Savior could occur in such a simple manner; then our weddings, birthdays, Relief Society activities, anniversaries, vacations, and day-to-day doings can--and should--too. After all, it is by small and simple means that the Lord accomplishes His work, and He is the one that we should be trying to please. We need to stop enhancing the center pieces, bedazzling the wardrobe, adding more to the program, and one-uping the neighbor; it is the heart that He is concerned about.
"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." -Alma 37:6-7
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