A Deeper Meaning to Christmas

I finally had a chance to sit down and blog...yikes it's been almost a month. I took my final for my CNA class on monday and got a 97%. I still have to worry about the state skills exam and written exam. I've almost made it to the finish line.

Yesterday was my first day as a nursing assistant. For 7 1/2 hours, I was on my feet, lifting and transferring people twice my size. It's a lot of hard work. My body let me know this morning that I am WAY out of shape...I need to start running marathons or something because I haven't been this sore ever. It was such a good day, though. Heaps and heaps better than working in activities.

Anyways. I was in the dining room yesterday with the people who need assistance, and one of the residents came in. He's quite a young fellow. He seems very nice. He's a quadriplegic and isn't able to feed himself. I was asked to feed him. I got his tray and drinks and began feeding him. There was a Christmas song playing on the radio and I started singing along quietly. He stopped chewing and just sort of stared at me. Yikes, embarrassing! Anyways, I tried to quickly cover with, "I just love the holiday season! Don't you?" I could tell that this wasn't the thing to say. He was quiet for the next bit. He continued to eat for a little bit. He then told me that no one comes to see him. He's so young! Where is his family? Why don't they visit him on holidays? I told him that I'd be working on Christmas and Christmas Eve, and that I'd come see him. Then later on that day, I went in to help this same resident. Doug, one of the CNA's, needed help getting the resident onto his bed. This poor guy, who can't do anything for himself, doesn't even have visitors on Christmas! I finished up helping Doug, and then went about caring for the other residents. I thought about what had happened on my way home from work. I felt so good by helping people all day. Most of these people can barely do anything for themselves. I had studied my butt off so that I would know exactly what to do to take care of their needs. It's so rewarding! But then I also felt so sad when I realized that most of these people don't have visitors on holidays. I'm going to have to think of something I can do this Christmas for them.

I learned two things about Christ yesterday. First, He did suffer for all of our sins, but he helped all of us with something we couldn't do for ourselves. How rewarding it must be to have helped all of us with something only He could do! He must have been so sad to have seen us in that crippled state, but how wonderful He must feel to have helped so many! I know I'm not saving lives or performing miracles and I know I'm the lowest man on the totem pole--it doesn't take very long or very much to become a CNA. But I can make them more comfortable and I can help with their basic needs. I learned that Christ has joy because He was able to help us. I also learned about mercy and service. Second, I learned, again, that even though I am a lowly nursing assistant, I have a spot in this world. I make a difference, even though it is very small. I learned that Christ has a purpose for us; and it might not be glamourous and we probably won't change the world or move mountains. But that we have a spot in this world to contribute and to show to the Father that we are trying to make a difference.

By learning those two lessons yesterday, I learned a deeper meaning to Christmas. Christ gave us many incredible gifts. He gave us His example, the Atonement, the opportunity to have Eternal Life. He also gives us mercy, and help, and opportunities to grow. And He is so happy to give us these gifts! These are gifts that costed Him his own life. And He found so much joy in helping us! I learned that giving gifts to our family and friends is wonderful at Christmas time, but what gifts do we give to the Savior? Do we give him our will, our hearts, our time? Do we give service in His name? Do we give room for other people to find their purpose and reach their potential? Do we give forgiveness? Do we give tithing and fast offerings freely and joyfully? Do we give encouragement to those who need it? I have to work hard in each of these areas and show the Savior that I have learned a deeper meaning to Christmas and a deeper understanding of His love for us.

Merry Christmas!