Brothers and sisters,
The Christmas season is in full force and I have been absolutely inspired by you and our congregation! There is beauty among us! I've met with many youth this week and I am awestruck by their faithfulness. I've seen countless members of our congregation glowing with the Spirit of Christmas. You absolutely inspire me.
"A Bishop must... ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection... For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God." I know I've said it before but I need you to understand so very clearly that I am neither of those things. My children are certainly not in subjection and I feel extraordinarily unqualified taking care of the church of God. My house is an absolute mess, our decorations are half up, I struggle to meet the needs of my children, I'm behind at work, and I'm confident that I've let more than one of you down in some way. How often do you feel like you're trying your very hardest but seem to be coming up short? How often do you pray to be calm, but find yourself frustrated? How often do you beg the Lord to change your circumstances, yet they remain unchanged? How often have you prayed for faith, and felt unanswered? How often do you wish that you had more of the Christmas spirit? How often do you lament? How often do you come to the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit? How often do you come to the Lord?
Personally, I have a fairly unreasonable expectation of the Christmas season - I envision my house looking like the Griswolds', my wife thinking she's in a romantic Hallmark movie, and my children being angels on earth. However, that's just not that case. That was blatantly clear in the Kienzle household tonight, it wasn't good. I'm so thankful that I was able to stop by the church where, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, I was absolutely inspired by each of you and you reminded me that I'm not alone. I'm also thankful for the angel voices that were present and reminded me of the divine night when Christ was born. He was born 2000 years ago and He brought hope into the world for you and for me. He brought hope to remind us that all things are right as long as we have Him. He came to show us that His grace is sufficient and his Atonement is all encompassing. Hope in Him endures all things and is enough for even the greatest of struggles.
If you feel alone, weak, betrayed, lost, or inadequate, know that you are not and remember that Christ was born, lived, atoned and now IS your REDEEMER. Come to the Nativity Festival and see that miracles are real. Come and be lifted up by the angels that are there and I promise you, there are angels in our chapel this weekend. If you seek an answer, I feel inclined to promise you that you find it there.
Finally, if you haven't invited every single one of your neighbors, please do so. Christ loves you and He loves them. He has placed you in your home and in your circumstances for a reason. I promise that the Lord will bless you as you share His Gospel and as you bring glad tidings and good cheer to others.
He is our healer and our friend. He is our comforter and our King. He is our light and our life. He is the Joy of the World. He is the Light of the World. Through Him, you will find hope this holiday season and always.
With love and adoration,
Bishop Kienzle
PS: Please, talk to me about getting ready to visit the temple on Jan 03. We will do baptisms at 6pm and attend the 6pm endowment session. However, no matter your circumstances, please just come and be with us.
Email me if you're coming!!! <3
PSS: Sacrament meeting will be amazing for the next couple of Sundays (and forever) so also a really special opportunity to bring friends, co-workers, neighbors, distant neighbors, forgotten loved ones, strangers, gas station attendees, and anybody else to church. ;)
PSSS: Love you so much.
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