And the soul felt its worth

This is such a beautiful version of "Oh Holy Night" Please listen to it before you go any farther.

"Oh holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine
Oh night when Christ was born
Oh night divine
Oh night divine

Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the wise men from Orient land
The King of Kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend

Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His gospel is peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name"

 Songs are a great way to express ourselves. This song has found it's way into my favorite Christmas songs play list. It recaps the night our savior was born so beautifully. However.. no words will ever be able to describe this glorious event, nor will I ever be able to use words to express my feelings.

But I am going to try. Please bear with me. I am not one for using words, or describing feelings.

"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."

Mosiah 16(The book of Mormon)

Christ is the light, and life of us all. He was born and He lived His life ever so selflessly. He gave all He had to bring us forgiveness and life. To pay for our debt that we could never pay on our own.

Jesus Christ is my best friend. I am over joyed to be celebrating His birth. This time of year is my favorite time of year. I was a little fearful that as a missionary and being away from home that I would become home sick or miss my family. However as a tender mercy from Him He has stepped in graciously and filled that void... I have felt my relationship with my Savior grow so much deeper in the last few weeks as my heart is full of warmth in this Christmas season.

As we have been able to step out of our own bubble to reach out and serve others my heart has been so full of joy and the spirit of Christmas.

There is no better way to spread Christmas cheer than to go out and teach some one about Jesus Christ, to plant the seed of faith in ones heart to help them understand that they are loved. That they aren't alone in the world.

I have been so blessed to be able to go and visit people who are lonely and sick at a living center here in New York, it has opened my heart and my mind and humbled me immensely 

As we were walking through the halls yesterday, Sister Dimick, myself, two Elders and a couple young men from the ward to visit a few women who weren't able to make it to church we walked past a woman and she said quietly "Jesus" and as I looked back to tell her hello she said again "This is the most glorious site" pointing toward us I felt overwhelmed with such great love for this woman. I feel so blessed and so privileged to be a missionary. To do my best to deliver the message of Jesus Christ to the soul who has not yet felt their worth. Who has not found Christ. To deliver such a beautiful tender message to the wandering soul. It is such a blessing to be able to testify of Jesus Christ each and every day. I truly am... I am speechless.

I feel like I owe Jesus Christ so much. He has saved me from myself, He has rescued me from more than just my mistakes and helping me over come sin. He has helped me through the hardest times in my life.

Have you ever felt like the world wouldn't notice if you were missing? Have you ever felt under appreciated or forgotten? Like you are alone in a dark room?

I know that I have. I cant imagine the world before Christ. Or what it would be like to not know Christ. Before Christ was born the world was in a dark state, people were lost and confused, not knowing where to look for safety and refuge. No where to run.

When Christ was born He brought with Him to the earth, forgiveness, peace, joy, hope, miracles of great healing and love.

Isn't that what every one wants in life? To be able to give of their love and to receive love in return? Love with out stipulations or hang ups. Just pure love. That is exactly what Jesus Christ offers.

"Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices"

The world was in a lost state, until Jesus Christ was born. He brought peace and hope to all who believed. He brought with Him worth.

What is the worth of the soul?

I know that I can say before I truly developed a relationship with Jesus Christ this was a concept I couldn't quite wrap my mind around. I was a shy, insecure girl. I knew who I wanted to be but hadn't a clue how to get there. I didn't realize that it was so easy and my mind had over complicated the process.

I wish I had a direct answer to what the worth of a soul was.. However I know that it was worth enough that Jesus Christ was willing to offer Himself... He was willing to take upon Him self every heart ache of EVERY PERSON... and that means you... He was willing to take upon Him self every sin, He was willing to be mocked, spit on, beat down and tormented... He was willing to give literally everything. To be in the depths of despair and to be with out His Fathers comfort all so that when we were beat down walked on and lost He would understand fully how to guide us back. He knew we all would make mistakes and that's why he over came temptations so He would know what it was like for the addict to break old habits, so He would know how it felt when we knew it was time to change and come back to Him.

When ever you feel alone, walked on, or forgotten remember that Jesus Christ the Savior of the world who was born in the most humble of circumstances, into a world that would hate Him, reject Him and eventually He would give His life into the hands of those who would kill Him. He went through everything for you. for me. for everyone.

It wasn't until I found Jesus Christ in my life, and I say that because Jesus Christ has always been in my life but at times I didn't have the capacity to recognize His presence. Once that flame was lit I felt this new sense of belonging. It felt warm, it felt familiar and it felt inviting. This sense of belonging was not belonging to the cool kids club, or being number one on the popularity list. But I fit in to Gods kingdom.

The weary world I once belonged to is now rejoicing. I have felt the Atonement working with in me, taking each and every broken piece, removing it from my heart sanding off the rough edges and replacing it. I feel Him each and every day help me to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to others. He has helped me to over come my weaknesses so that I can be strong. 

" 27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

 Ether 12:27

There is a great sense of worth that comes from not just knowing about Jesus Christ but getting to know Him personally through the power of prayer, scripture study and attending The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints.

I have yet to feel home sick I am thousands of miles away from my home and family, Yet I have never felt so at home. I am constantly surrounded by my Saviors love. Especially through out the holidays as we are able to focus even more on His birth and earthly ministry and hearts are opened and forever friendships are made. 

Let Him into your heart. To heal you, to make you stronger, and to bring peace love and comfort.