I am a Mormon- a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We believe in the Bible, but we also believe in The Book of Mormon. It is ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ- another witness that He did indeed live. Have you ever wondered what it was like in other parts of the world? In the Book of Mormon we learn from Nephi, an ancient American Prophet, what the first Christmas was like in the Americas.
Christs birth had been prophesied by many Prophets. In the 3rd book of Nephi, we learn of one- Samuel the Lamanite, who told of Christs birth 5 years before His coming. He stood on a wall and preached the words God had commanded him. He told of how on the night of Christs birth it would be as if it were day and that a new star would rise. As he stood on the wall and spoke these words men cast arrows at him- but they could not hit him.
Heleman 14: 2-3 & 5
"2. And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on His name.
3. And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of His coming, for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before He cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
5. And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you."
5 years had almost passed and those unbelievers began to rejoice. They set apart a day where all those who believed Samuels words should be put to death- lest the signs should come. The believers were steadfast, and Nephi began to pray to the Lord in behalf of his people, and the Lord answered him...
3rd Nephi 1:13-15 & 21
"13. Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I unto the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.
14.... And behold the time is at hand, and this night shall the sign be given.
15. And it came to pass that the words which came unto Nephi were fulfilled, according as they had been spoken; for behold at the going down of the sun there was no darkness; and the people began to be astonished because there was no darkness when the night came.
21. And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word."
Christmas was celebrated all over the world then, and is celebrated all over the world now. Let us remember WHY we celebrate. It is because our Lord, Savior, and Redeemer came to earth to redeem us from our sins. To show us how to live, and to die so that we could live with Him forever.
Let us be like the Wise men of old- and seek Him out this Christmas season, and always. For "wise men still seek Him."
