Joyeux Noel

This is Sister Cummings from the frozen tundras of the North saying "Joyeux Noël!" This is a wonderful time of year full of gift giving and singing, I can`t think of any better way to spend it than in Santa Claus`s mission doing the work of the Lord. I`m not joking though, did you know the Canada Montreal Mission includes the north pole in its borders? Well it does and after I realized that I sort of felt the irony. In our society we have grown to see that Christmas is all about gumdrops, rain deer, Santa, gifts, shopping etc etc etc you name it and you can see that our Christmas is very much a commercial dream. And it is important that as we live in this that we keep in mind what is the real meaning of Christmas.

As a missionary we contact many people using cards, and this season the church has instructed us to use a special card referring people to the "He is the Gift" video that the church has directed to remind people what the real meaning of Christmas is, I highly highly recommend watching it if you haven`t done so already. Anyways there was one day while my companion and I were on the metro heading home after a long day that something happened. I was so tired and we had already contacted what seemed to be a million people that I was ready to just quit. But I remember having a feeling to look up at the corner of the metro and I saw a woman there with a broken arm who looked just so sad. Something inside told me to give this woman a card, I shook it off but every metro stop that the woman didn`t get off the thought came back, give this woman a card. I said a little prayer and said if she were to get off at the Jean-talon stop then I would give her a card. Lo and behold she did. And lo and behold I again pushed the feeling to give a card, making the excuse that my companion was already far ahead and that I needed to be with my companion. Again the thought came, I said another prayer, God if I am suppose to give this woman a card, my companion is going to turn around right now. And at that exact moment that I thought the word "now" my companion turned around. Without thinking I turned around and went to the lady. I believe I said something along the lines of Merry Christmas as much as my awkward mumbled French could take and gave her the card. She smiled took the card and said thank you, when I looked into her eyes they started to tear up. And that was it. All of that struggle for that simple moment of giving a woman a piece of paper.

Except it wasn`t just a piece of paper. On it was a picture of Christ and in large words "he is the gift." I know that I was guided by the spirit to give that simple message to this woman, and not only was I guided but in my stubbornness God knew how important it was for her to receive that simple card that he allowed me multiple attempts. This Christmas think about others. Think about a simple baby who thousands of years ago was born under the humblest of circumstances. It is my testimony that I know Jesus Christ lived  and died and lives again. Merry Christmas to all.

Love,
Kayla