The Train Passengers of Life

 

Meaning of The 12 Days of Christmas

DID YOU KNOW THIS?

The Partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ.

Two Turtle Doves are the Old and New Testaments.

Three French Hens stand for Faith, Hope, and Love.

The Four Calling Birds are the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.

The Five Golden Rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

The Six Geese a Laying stand for the six days of Creation.

The Seven Swans a Swimming represent the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

The Eight Maids a Milking are the eight Beatitudes.

The Nine Ladies Dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.

The Ten Lords a Leaping are the Ten Commandments.

The Eleven Pipers Piping stand for the eleven faithful Disciples.

The Twelve Drummers Drumming symbolize the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

What is the original Apostles' Creed?

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth; I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord; He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary, He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

 

December 20, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 96: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY — HOPE SURFACES FROM DESPAIR:

On Christmas day in 1863, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was inspired to write the poem we now know as the Christmas carol, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. It was a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Listen Now!

 

December 19, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 95: Mankind was My Business

"A Christmas Carol," a globally celebrated timeless tale of heartwarming human redemption crafted as a haunting holiday ghost story, was published in London on this day in history, Dec. 19, 1843. 

Except for the biblical narrative of the birth of Christ itself, "A Christmas Carol" may be the world's most well-known and most frequently retold tale of the holiday.

English author Dickens, 31 years old at the time, had recently gained literary celebrity following the release of "Sketches by Boz," "The Pickwick Papers" and "Oliver Twist."

"'A Christmas Carol' was written over a few short weeks to ensure its publication before Christmas 1843, but its message has stood the test of time," notes the Charles Dickens Museum of London.

"Recognized by critics on its publication as ‘a national benefit to every man and woman who reads it a personal kindness’, the story has been retold and adapted ever since." 

Listen Now!

 

December 15, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 94: Anniversary of The Bill of Rights

"Why was the Bill of Rights tacked onto the Constitution just three years after its ratification in June 1788? Essentially, anti-Federalist delegates objected to the proposed draft, arguing that it provided a framework for a new centralized government but failed to safeguard individual liberties and states’ rights. They finally agreed to ratify the Constitution on the condition that Congress amend the document to include these protections.

With Special guest Joni Bryan of the 917Society.org.

Listen Now!

 

December 14, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 93: Christmas, A Wonderful Time to Celebrate

Love came down at Christmas,

   Love all lovely, Love Divine;

Love was born at Christmas,

   Star and angels gave the sign. 

Listen Now!

 

December 13, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 92: It's Christmas Time Again

Perhaps your worldview is that the human family are all brothers and sisters, obligated by love and familial ties to help one another. When you act on these powerful feelings of accountability and compassion, it reinforces your personal values and generates feelings of living true to your own ethical beliefs. 

Listen Now!

 

December 9, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 91: Has the Government Grinch Stolen America?

The Biden Administration and the Democratic Marxists have moved down the dark path that John Locke describes so vividly to “destroy” the God-given rights of life, liberty, and property protected by the Constitution of the United States.

Listen Now!

 

December 7, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 90: C.S. Lewis and Politics

At the end of the first book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we catch a glimpse of the good reign of the four children (Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy) as kings and queens of Narnia. Take a read for yourself.

Listen Now!

 

2022 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

December 5, 2022

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

"Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one's first feeling, 'Thank God, even they aren't quite so bad as that,' or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies are as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally, we shall insist on seeing everything -- God and our friends and ourselves included -- as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred."

 

Prayer for the First Sunday in Advent

December 5. 2022

Prayer for the First Sunday in Advent

"Loving God, during these days of Advent, we meditate upon the meaning of your coming.

We approach you and wonder at all as we prepare to welcome the Christ, whom you have so sacrificially sent.

How thankful we are for His assurance that you do not leave us alone - 

Into our highest joys and satisfactions you send light and warmth.

Into our experiences of worship, you bring insight and renewal.

Into our times of stress and uncertainty you infuse strength and faith.

We rejoice in your transforming work going on in us and in the world, your work that nothing can stop.

We come to you as seekers as curious Children wanting to explore the Mysteries of your grace and love.

Like Mary and Joseph,

we seek to experience the Christmas miracle ourselves

Like the shepherds,

we seek to worship at the manger in Bethlehem

Like the angels,

we seek to join the multitude of the heavenly host to sing glory to you in the highest.

Give us sensitive spirits, attentive minds, and receptive hearts, we pray.

Begin your work in us anew, that we might reflect your light and life in every environment in which we find ourselves.

Show us how we may more fully receive the gift of Jesus, who is the sign of your presence in the world.

Bring to our awareness the places in our inner spirits where He has yet to enter - the places where we have resisted Him, rejected Him, run from Him.

Help us to invite Him to enter now. Grant that during this Advent season, we might hear His Word and experience His grace as if for the first time, that we might respond with renewed commitment.

O God, rekindle the romance of our faith,

Awaken us to the attraction and the passion and the devotion of Jesus Christ.

Let His hope live in us, not for our own sake only, but for the sake of your eternal kingdom both in heaven and on earth.

In all things and in all ways, make us people who think and act in peace, that the world may know of your saving love.

AMEN."

 

Ten Symbols of Christmas

December 5, 2022

Ten Symbols of Christmas:

By Charlotte Larcabal and Eric B. Murdock

Lights. Trees. Stars. Bells. Ever wonder what all these Christmas symbols might mean?

With all the hype of the holidays, you’re sure to see Christmas decorations everywhere. It’s a huge part of celebrating Christmas! But have you ever thought about how some of those traditional decorations can help us get in touch with the true spirit of the season? If we look at them in the right way, we can allow them to help us remember Jesus Christ in our Christmas celebrations as Christians have done for centuries.

The Star:

It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting on top of Christmas trees. The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. Five years before Jesus was born, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the signs of the Savior’s birth, including the appearance of a bright new star (see Helaman 14:5). The star led the Wise Men to Jesus (see Matthew 2:2) and reminds us to follow the light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the light of the star to find Him.

Lights and Candles:

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “Many of our memorable and enduring Christmas traditions include different kinds of lights—lights on trees, lights in and on our homes, candles on our tables. May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind us of Him who is the source of all light.”1 Christmas lights can remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. They can also remind us to be lights to others and to help others come unto Christ.

For centuries, candles have brought brightness and warmth to the season. Candles can also represent the light of the star that appeared at the birth of the Savior, and like other lights, remind us that He is the Light of the World. Did you know candles were often used to decorate Christmas trees before electric lights were invented?

Trees:

Even before Christ’s birth, trees that stayed green all year long carried special meaning for people. A green, thriving tree in the dead of winter reminded people of hope and new life. Because of Jesus Christ, we can have everlasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13), so we can choose to see the evergreen tree as a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.

Poinsettias:

The poinsettia originates from Mexico, and like the evergreen tree, it is a plant that thrives during the winter and symbolizes new life. But it doesn’t stop there! Their shape resembles a star, like the one that led the Wise Men to Jesus. Red poinsettias can remind us of the blood that Christ spilled for us. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Having bled at every pore, how red [Christ’s] raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that cloak!”2 white poinsettias can symbolize His purity (see Moroni 7:48).

Holly:

Because its red berries and prickly green leaves last all year round, holly is used as a Christmas decoration all over the world. The sharp edges of the holly leaf can remind us of the crown of thorns placed on the Savior’s head (see Matthew 27:29). The red holly berry can remind us of His blood shed for all of us. Christians have long seen these symbols. In fact, in some Scandinavian languages, the word for holly is “Christ-thorn.”

Wreaths:

Traditionally, wreaths are made of evergreens such as pine branches or holly. Their circular shape can represent eternity (see D&C 35:1). Wreaths hung on doors or in windows are like a symbolic invitation for the spirit of Christmas to fill our homes with the joy of the season.

Bells:

For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the arrival of the Christmas season. They can symbolize the announcement of the birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Candy Canes:

Perhaps a better name for the candy cane is “candy crook.” They can remind us of the staffs carried by the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus. During Christ’s time, a shepherd’s staff often had a crook, or bend, at the top that was used to hook sheep by the neck to gently lead them to food or water or to protect them from harm. As you enjoy a candy cane, remember that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11, 14). If we choose to follow Him, He will gently lead us to safety and peace.

Stockings:

If you think about it, it’s a bit strange for someone to put goodies in your old sock. But like many Christmas traditions, the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from an old legend. A long time ago (so the story goes), a poor man had three daughters and couldn’t afford to give them a dowry (money or goods given to the groom’s family by the bride’s family). In those days, it was very hard for a woman to get married without a dowry. A Christian bishop named Nicholas heard about the problem and wanted to help, but the man refused to accept money. One night, Nicholas threw three balls made of pure gold in through the open window of the man’s house. Each one landed in a stocking hung by the fire to dry. The next morning, each daughter found a gold ball in her stocking. With this bounty, they were all able to get married. Stockings can remind us of the importance of service. The greatest example of service is Jesus Christ. He always “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Take some time to think about the Savior’s selfless acts of service. How can you give Christlike service and show kindness to others?

Gifts:

Christmas is the season of giving.Remember the Wise Men who came to see Jesus? They “presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11), but the greatest gift of all came from our Heavenly Father: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). As you open your brightly wrapped presents on Christmas morning, remember that the Savior is the true gift of Christmas.

 

December 5, 2022

The Medlock Post E. 89: A Beautiful Season

With all the hype of the holidays, you’re sure to see Christmas decorations everywhere. It’s a huge part of celebrating Christmas! But have you ever thought about how some of those traditional decorations can help us get in touch with the true spirit of the season? 

Listen Now!

 

December 2, 2022

The Medlock Post Ep. 88: Seasonal Traditions

We love Christmastime—gathering with family and friends, sharing gifts, good food, and happy celebrations. Do you know when those customs began in your family? Such traditions bind us to our heritage and will be passed on for generations to come. 

Listen Now!