The Sacrament, a Celebration

                  It was a tradition in our home every year at Christmas to read a story called “Christmas Every Day.”  It’s the story of a selfish young girl who loved Christmas so much that she begged the fairies to make it Christmas every day.  At first it was wonderful, but as the days, then weeks, then months went by, her dream became a nightmare.  Every day waking to new stockings, full of candy on which to make one ill.  Gifts kept coming and coming, so many that people hurled them across the room, and filled attics and barns with them.  People became poor for all the shopping, except the storekeepers who became very rich.  Having turkey dinner every day, with leftovers piling up, going hoarse from all the caroling, going to bed too late, and waking up cross-- all made a special day not so special anymore.

                Another holiday we love is Easter.  Like Christmas, we celebrate it once a year.  It also has special songs, and food, gifts given and received, and cause for rejoicing in our Savior Jesus Christ.

                Once a year may not be enough; every day may make celebrations mundane and commonplace.  But once a week we can remember these things in a calmer, more serene way as we participate in the ordinance of the Sacrament. It is a time to remember, to commemorate, to celebrate that Christ came to earth, to live and give his life for us.  We gather together as family and friends.  We sing special songs.  We give gifts, our gifts of a broken heart, a contrite spirit, repentance and obedience.  We receive gifts of mercy, forgiveness, healing and hope.  We eat special food, sacred and blessed, as we partake of the bread and water or wine, as we remember the Living Water and the Living Bread.  We are surrounded by love: God’s love for us, and ours for Him and for our brothers and sisters.  And we have cause to Rejoice in the Glad Tidings:  that Jesus has come! That He yet lives! That He brings to us Salvation, and Peace, and Joy.  

                On December 25^th, and on Easter, and every Sabbath Day 

we can celebrate and be glad--

we can gather and sing and eat, and have Hope. 

Thanks be to God for His Infinite, Unspeakable gift!