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Jesus is Always by Your Side
A year and a half after I was called as the second counselor in the bishopric of the Arroyo Hondo Ward of the Santiago Dominican Republic South Stake, a strong flood affected the population of the Brisas del Norte area of Arroyo Hondo Arriba, the southern part of Santiago de los Caballeros in the Dominican Republic. Due to the significant amount of rain that fell during Tropical Storm Olga, poverty and despair surprised this humble community in the early hours of Dec. 12, 2007. Houses were destroyed, along with the furnishings and belongings of those who inhabited them. Crying and despair overwhelmed survivors. The water levels covered most of the houses. Screams and despair took possession of people when they saw themselves practically homeless and with only their sleeping attire on them.
The priesthood brethren of the Arroyo Hondo Ward, headed by its bishop, Luis Gerardo Tejada Villamán, immediately came to the rescue of children and adults. The roofs of the flooded houses were occupied by the inhabitants, who, to save their lives, had climbed on them.
The friendly hand of our Savior Jesus Christ was not long in coming. His priesthood brethren were there helping those most in need. Shortly after the incident, they were transferred to different places to await the resolution of the flooding that had changed their lives.
When the water receded, the repairs to houses, the arrival of clothing, medicine and food filled this community with happiness and joy. They shouted “Thank you, God, thank you very much! Despite our sad situation, you never abandoned us.”
Without thinking about what happened, they did not go down from the roof to get something from their houses, and they did not go back to get their clothes.
Their December became full of light and hope, the birth of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ was celebrated, despite having spent a moment in the dark on December 12, 2007.
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Jesus taught us: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
From all our vicissitudes, I conclude that we should celebrate the birth of our Savior every day, always sowing joy as we walk.
Our souls are often full of sadness and at other times full of joy; a look, a word of encouragement, a smile, a pat on the back are always well received. We must move our feet toward our neighbors, relatives and siblings. Our presence can be synonymous with help. Our souls suffer in certain moments from unexpected catastrophes and by our presence we become the lifesaver for that soul that needs help in his moment of darkness. I invite you to show true love to God the Eternal Father through our sincere love to our brothers and sisters.
Let us hasten our pace, because our presence can be timely to give food to the hungry, give shelter to the naked, deliver the best medicine to the sick, and the key that will open the cell of the imprisoned. Let us express our love towards our fellow citizens in the best way we can, either with a gift of ourselves, or the delivery of a necessary and opportune gift, because every day we must strive to be like Him and to resemble Him, and in this way become a blessing to the souls that await the saving light of our elder brother, Jesus Christ.
By making the dedication of love to our brothers and sisters a reality, “at all times, in all things, in all places” (Mosiah 18:9), in a very special way, we will be the hands of the Lord on earth. We will make every day the celebration of Christmas a tangible reality, and will embark in the service, so that faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity and unprecedented humility will always accompany us, which will enrich the earth and will make the field white ready for the harvest, to treasure the souls, which after the First Resurrection, will occupy the celestial kingdom, because He prepared the way for us to obey the commandments and convert His will into works.
His birth, His ministry of light, His atoning sacrifice and His eternal presence enlighten us and will enlighten us for this life and for all eternity. At Christmas we celebrate His birth and at Easter, His death, Crucifixion, and Resurrection. His great work has marked us forever for good, and only being like Him will bring happiness and eternal life to our beloved brothers and sisters of this wonderful planet. Let us celebrate Christmas every day of our lives, taking His name upon ourselves, always remembering Him, doing His will, and keeping the commandments that He has given us. Let us enlighten the world, because “this is (His) work and (His) glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).