At Christmastime, the song is often sung:
“God rest you merry, gentlemen, let nothing you dismay;
remember Christ, our Savior was born on Christmas Day.”
Pondering this song in light of the Prophet’s recent teachings, two words stand out:
“Rest” and “Savior.”
President Russell M. Nelson in his October 2022 general conference talk “Overcome the World and Find Rest,” explained the direct connection between making covenants with God in the temple and the Savior’s stunning promise:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; … and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
Therefore, said President Nelson: “Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power. Thus, covenant keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest that comes to them through their covenantal relationship with God.”
Keeping covenants means that in an increasingly complex and distressing world, with distractions and distortions swirling around, “you can find true rest — meaning relief and peace — even amid your most vexing problems,” he taught.
Songs and scripture show the peace that Christ’s birth brought to the world on that night.
- “All glory be to God on high and on the earth be peace” (“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”).
- “Peace on earth, goodwill to men” (“Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains”).
- “Peace on earth and mercy mild” (“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”).
- “Peace on the earth, good will to men from Heav’n’s all-gracious King” (“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”).
- “And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth” (“O Little Town of Bethlehem”).
- “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
The Savior came unto the world and then invited people to come unto Him. In that same October talk, President Nelson teaches what happens as people make covenants with Christ.
“As we strive to live the higher laws of Jesus Christ, our hearts and our very natures begin to change. The Savior lifts us above the pull of this fallen world by blessing us with greater charity, humility, generosity, kindness, self-discipline, peace and rest.”
The promise of peace and rest in the Savior’s covenant relationship with His people is a cause for joy.
As the angel said to the shepherds, “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).
- “Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King!” (“Joy to the World”).
- “Oh, come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!” (“Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”).
- “Joyful, all ye nations, rise” (“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”).
- “O tidings of comfort and joy” (“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”).
- “Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind” (“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”).
Christ’s birth brought joy to the world because of who He was prophesied to become — the Savior of the world, who atoned for all mankind, and was crucified and resurrected. He overcame the world and taught how others can do so, too.
In a devotional address to Canadian Latter-day Saints in October, President Nelson testified that joy comes from following Jesus Christ.
“If my 98 years of life have taught me anything, it is that true joy comes by living in harmony with the teachings of Jesus Christ,” he said. “I have never met any who were happier because they broke their covenants with God.”
Rest in the Savior comes through yoking with Him and making and keeping covenants. In the recent general conference, President Nelson called upon everyone to become a righteous people who choose to live the higher, holier laws of Jesus Christ.
“Cherish and honor your covenants above all other commitments. As you let God prevail in your life, I promise you greater peace, confidence, joy and, yes, rest.”
— Mary Richards is a reporter for the Church News.
