“Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25). Our whole reason for existing is to have and receive joy. And how is it that we shall receive this joy? “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11). It was not just a joyful occasion that the Saviour was born, although it was that. Jesus Christ Himself was the great joy, which shall be to all people. When Lehi said that men are, that they might have joy, the joy to which he was referring is our Savior Jesus Christ. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” (John 13:20). “Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” (John 14:23) Our purpose on this Earth is to receive joy. Our purpose on this earth is to receive our Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is true Joy, and true Joy is Jesus Christ. I know that we often focus on the power of our Savior to heal and mend our broken hearts and comfort us and to carry our sorrows. These are important aspects of our Savior’s mission and indispensable parts of His Atonement. But we should also remember that to receive Jesus Christ and to have Him and our Heavenly Father come unto us and make Their abode with us is to invite pure, true, radiant Joy into our hearts and into our lives. I hope that during this Christmas season as we attempt to put Christ first, we also remember that the very first thing that the angels spoke of was the Great Joy that Jesus Christ would bring, and that as we attempt to receive our Savior with all of our hearts, we remember to focus especially on receiving and having the Joy that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
