But that's not what I want to write about today. Instead I would like to recount an experience that I had last night before falling asleep.
After going through my usual teeth-brushing routine, I read a chapter from "The Book of Mormon" and "Our Search for Happiness" before crawling beneath the covers with my trusty iPod in hand. I selected one of my favorite playlists (a mix of my favorite comfort songs) and closed my eyes to help me relax. The first song that came on is one of my absolute favorites; it's entitled "What Shall We Give" and rather than do it injustice by attempting to summarize it, here are the lyrics:
"What shall we give to the Babe in the manger,
What shall we offer the Child in the stall?
Incense and spices and gold we've got plenty-
Are these the gifts for the King of us all?
What shall we give to the Boy in the temple,
What shall we offer the Man by the sea?
Palms at his feet and hosannas uprising;
Are these for Him who will carry the tree?
What shall we give to the Lamb who was offered,
Rising the third day and shedding His love?
Tears for his mercy we'll weep at the manger,
Bathing the Infant come down from above."
The song that followed "What Shall We Give" surprised me, even though somehow I knew it was coming. It's entitled "In the Bleak Midwinter":
"In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter,
Long ago.
What can I give him,
Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd
I would bring a lamb,
If I were a wise man
I would do my part,
Yet what I can I give Him —
Give my heart."
(Here's a link to the song.)
It was no coincidence that these two songs were played back to back. I think I was very teachable at that moment and the Spirit seized on that rare opportunity to teach me something.
I don't want to share my whole experience- perhaps the Spirit will take this opportunity to teach you too . But I came to the conclusion that the one thing we can give our Lord (whether old or young, rich or poor) is our hearts, or more specifically a broken heart and a contrite spirit; that is, the best gift we can give Christ in return for His priceless Atonement is to use it. After all, God's number one purpose is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39).
What use is a gift if it's never used? Just food for thought.
