"The Search for Jesus"

Little Suzy at the age of seven was on a quest this Christmas season. She heard and could recite forwards and backwards the all famous Christmas story. Every year on the first Sunday in December her family would share this story and this year was her turn. She read and read until she new all there was to know about the Saviors birth. Prior to bed at scripture study Suzy's mom read from Ether 12:41. "And …..I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom prophets and apostles have written." With that she went up to her room for bed but could not sleep do to her burning question how do I find Jesus? Thoughts raced in her mind as she quickly turned to the stories of Jesus. She began to remember key things from the Christmas Story. "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." With this she knew David only lived two houses over and decided first thing tomorrow morning she was going there to find Jesus. As plan Suzy woke early that morning and began her journey. Her mother stopped her before she could even turn the doorknob, "And were do you think you are going?" "To find Jesus, David is hiding him." She replied. "Oh sweetie Jesus is all around." Her mother determined that Suzy must go to the store with her and told her, "just to watch and you'll see Jesus."

The next night was the night that Suzy had long waited for. She told the most beautiful version of the Christmas Story ever told. At the conclusion of her reading she told of how Jesus still lives today at the grocery store of course. She continued to explain that he was the man ringing the bell, the lady who helped the poor old man who sat on the corner looking cold and lonely, Mommy for helping the blind lady walk around the store, the man who pushed the wheelchair for the lady that could not walk, The little boy who picked up the box of stuffing I had dropped, and the cashier who gave us a coupon.

Little Suzy learned a lesson that we all can learn and relearn for the years to come. Through Generations of time, the message from Jesus to those who have sought him has been "Follow me". If we but listen, shall come the same beckoning invitation of old, "Follow me." But how do you follow him if first we don't find him? And how shall we find him if at first we don't seek him? Where and how should we begin the search for Jesus?

In Jeremiah 29:13 the Lord states, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." With earnest and sincere prayer of a humble and pure heart we can feel the comfort and begin our personal search for Jesus. Thomas S. Monson gives us the following guide lines in or quest to find Jesus. First, you must prepare time for him in our lives. Especially around this season we become extremely busy with the sleigh bells ringing and the shuffling of people's feet in malls across the nation. Do we take the time and devote it to our Savior Jesus Christ? Through Scripture study and prayer everyday we can prepare and become edified through his words. Second, we must have room in our hearts and home for him. DO are homes radiate a spirit of Christ like love? Many a lovely home provides rooms for eating, rooms for sleeping, rooms for family gatherings and activities, but no room for Christ. Is our conscience pricked as we recall his own words: "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head" (Matt. 8:20). Or does it cause us embarrassment to remember, "And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn" (Luke 2:7). No room. No room. No room. Lastly we should have a clear concept of whom we seek. The shepherds of old sought Jesus the child. But we seek Jesus the Christ, our older brother, our mediator with the Father, our Redeemer, the Author of our salvation; he who was in the beginning with the Father; he who took upon himself the sins of the world and so willingly died that we might forever live. This is the Jesus whom we seek.

When we find the one whom we seek may we desire to give ourselves to him. Once the wise men found Jesus the offered him gifts. They presented gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Just as we seek a different Jesus we shall bare different gifts. From the treasures of our hearts Jesus ask that we give of ourselves: "Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind." (Doctrine and Covenants 64:34) Let us look towards the star that shines brighter than any other star such as one man did and followed it, Boyd Hatch of Salt Lake City, Utah. Deprived of the use of his legs, faced with a lifetime in a wheelchair, Boyd could well have looked inward and, through sorrow for self, existed rather than lived. However, Brother Hatch looked not inward, but rather outward into the lives of others and upward into God's own heaven; and the star of inspiration guided him not to one opportunity, but to literally hundreds. He organized Scout troops of handicapped boys. He taught them camping. He taught them swimming. He taught them basketball. He taught them faith. Some boys were downhearted and filled with self-pity and despair. To them he handed the torch of hope. Before them was his own personal example of struggle and accomplishment. With a courage which we shall never fully know or understand, these boys of many faiths overcame insurmountable odds and found themselves anew. Through it all, Boyd Hatch not only found joy, but by willingly and unselfishly giving of himself, he found Jesus.

Many around this time are searching for Jesus not just us that are here listening today; our neighbors and friends. There are many who live worthy and good lives. Many do unselfish acts for others everyday and yet are not members of this faith. Many are like the people of Gideon, who are found in Alma chapter seven. These people had been humbled and lived good lives but were missing one aspect of there lives, The Savior Jesus Christ. Alma 7: 23-24: 23 And now I would that ye should be ^ahumble, and be ^bsubmissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive. And see that ye have ^afaith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works.

May we remember the lesson that Suzy taught at the age of seven that Jesus Lives and through the unselfish acts of others will this be evident. May we head his plead to follow Him, and embrace the people around you this holiday and remember that many seek Jesus and are ready to hear his words all we must do is listen to the spirit and open are mouths.