Gaining Light by Eileen Burgoyne

As we celebrate this glorious season of Christmas, we find many “symbols” that remind us of the true meaning of the season.  Candy canes, evergreen trees, stars, wreaths, bells, the holly and berries, and even the gifts we give each other.  All play a part in this magical time of year that is Christmas.  I think my favorite symbol of all, though, are the lights.  Beautiful colored lights are everywhere, casting their radiant glow on our homes, Christmas trees, and towns.  The lights, of course, are in remembrance of our Savior, the “Light of the World,” Jesus Christ.  

When our children were little, we loved bundling them up in their pajamas and blankets and piling into the car to go on a little tour of the St. Johns’ town lights.  Some of the best light displays were in our very own downtown neighborhood.  Dale and Ruth Davis’ house was especially amazing every year, and the “Hansen Mansion” (as my kids called it), with its lollipop decorations, was also a favorite, as well as the court house.  Down the street was Bev and Larry Heap’s house, complete with Santa and his sleigh on the front lawn.  All of the houses on that street were well lit, as well as many across town, and we would continue our tour, driving up and down the streets of our little town.  We would ooh and aah and sing Christmas carols on the way and then come home and warm up with hot cocoa.

When I was a little girl, we would do the same type of Christmas “light tour” in the small town where I grew up, but many of my cherished Christmas memories centered on being in my grandparents’ home.  Cousins would come from far and near at this time of year, and there was always lots of good food and fun and singing around the piano and telling stories.  I loved being in my grandparents’ home, and I loved their Christmas trees, for they were always decorated with those old fashioned “bubble lights” which provided small children endless wonderment.  I still remember those lights fondly and with great feelings of nostalgia. How fun it was to sit in their cozy family room with the lights dimmed and watch the bubble lights on the tree do their thing, while listening to stories of Christmases long ago, and hear the laughter and music and feel the love surrounding me. I knew even at that young age, that the gospel of Jesus Christ was the source of our joy and happiness and that He was indeed the Light of the World.  

In recent years, I have become intrigued with the concept of gaining light and knowledge, and how we must all gain as much light in this world as we can, so that we can share it and bring others to the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 A couple of years ago, around this time of year, my sister invited me to a Mesa, AZ Temple fireside where she was accompanying the choir on her flute. I was thrilled to be in town and to be able to attend the fireside.  The music was beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but the highlight of the evening for me ended up being the speaker, Elder Larry R. Lawrence and the talk he gave on “Light” and more specifically “Accumulating Light”.  He emphasized the importance of gaining light in our lives and gave 5 specific ways to do so.  I will briefly summarize them, but if interested, you can find the complete talk in the March 2016 Ensign under the title “The Light of the Perfect Day”.  Here are his ideas:

1. Learn to love.  Love God and others. Develop charity; serve more, love more.  It’s why missionaries glow—full time service is rewarded with great spiritual light.
2. Invest in scripture study.  If you want to grow spiritually you have to feed your spirit by feasting on the word of God.  Take time to memorize important scriptures.  Elder Richard G. Scott said that “scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds.  Memorized scriptures become a gift you give yourself—a gift that keeps on giving more and more light.”
3. Go and Do…Obey the commandments, and as you discover truth and apply it, you will gain more light.  
4. Hearken to the Holy Ghost.  This is one way President Monson has gained so much light.  He has learned to follow the impressions that have come to him.  “Every one that hearkeneth to the voice of the Spirit cometh unto God” (D&C 84:47).
5. Serve in the Temple.  Elder Lawrence says there is so much light and truth to be gained from temple service that the temple may be referred to as the University of the Lord.  Consider yourself blessed if you are able to bask in this heavenly light on a regular basis.  

What a great time of year to reflect on the Light of the World, our Savior Jesus Christ, and to learn of Him and His gospel.  By doing so we will be more fully prepared to serve and bring others to the great truths found in His gospel and be able to lead others to the happiness found therein.