I don’t want to sound like the Grinch, but Christmas has become a bit of a struggle for me as I’ve gotten older. When you’re a kid, Christmas is great. You get a bunch of presents, you get time off from school and it just seems so perfect. But as you get older and the realities of life set in, it seems to get harder and harder (for me, at least) to really enjoy Christmas. It comes, and then in a flash, it’s gone. There are always things I would like to do more of but I simply can’t ever find the time. The fact that Christmas is so commercialized also makes it difficult for me to enjoy it.

With all that in mind, I felt particularly grateful for the message I heard shared by BYU men’s basketball coach Mark Pope just before Christmas.

Speaking to a BYUtv broadcaster, Pope was asked about his Christmas wish list. He responded:

“I just hope all of Cougar Nation can take the next couple days to recognize the greatest gift that the world has ever received in our savior Jesus Christ because he takes all of our burdens and that is a real thing. It’s the gospel, the good news, for a reason, because there’s a place when we’re alone or frustrated or joyful or anything else, we have him here to take that burden or share that joy with us or give us direction. Don’t miss it. I don’t want … Cougar Nation to miss what this team is doing right now but that is meaningless compared to the gift of our savior, so that’s pretty cool. I hope everybody enjoys that for Christmas.”

Hearing Pope’s message helped me because it reinforced why Christmas is so important. There would be no Christmas without the birth of Christ, who was and always will be the greatest gift ever given. Because of him, we all will have immortality and a chance at eternal life in the presence of God. That’s a message that frankly should stick with us regardless of the time of the year.

There’s a children’s song that I heard once that comes to mind. It’s called “Gethsemane” by Melanie Hoffman.

Jesus climbed the hill to the garden still.

His steps were heavy and slow.

Love and a prayer took Him there

To the place only He could go.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He went willingly to Gethsemane.

He felt all that was sad, wicked, or bad,

All the pain we would ever know.

While His friends were asleep, He fought to keep

His promise made long ago.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He went willingly to Gethsemane.

The hardest thing that ever was done,

The greatest pain that ever was known,

The biggest battle that ever was won–

This was done by Jesus!

The fight was won by Jesus!

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He gave His gift to me in Gethsemane.

Gethsemane. Jesus loves me,

So He gives His gift to me from Gethsemane.

It pleases me to note that Pope isn’t alone. A friend told me recently that he has observed there are more and more professional athletes who are willing to acknowledge God publicly. This was in response to a comment I had made about the University of Oregon football team’s quarterback, Bo Nix, and his response after his team lost the Pac-12 championship.

Showing remarkable perspective in a difficult situation, he said:

“I’m in an interesting position because I’ve been flat on my face at times in college football and I’ve been counted out and just kind of thrown out and the Lord picked me back up and he put me right back on the field with a great team and I know that doesn’t always happen. It’s just, I think, a testimony to many people out there who are going through difficult times. No matter what happens, I think the Lord has a plan for each one of us and he has a plan for our lives. I’m extremely honored to be in the position that I’m in because I can have influence on a lot of people and it’s an honor to me and I don’t take it for granted. At times like this you can ask why or you can look up and pout, but look where he’s brought me. Look at how far he’s brought me and obviously he’s not done. The path is still being created and it’s just up to us to have faith and just follow our hearts wherever we may feel led. I think my college career is a huge testament to that and a lot of people can learn from it. Even though you may fall flat on your face, there’s an opportunity to get back up if you really want to keep pushing at it.”

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph shared a Christ-centered message after his team defeated the Cincinnati Bengals last week. He was asked by the television reporter what worked for him and he said that he wanted to thank Jesus Christ “for giving me the opportunity to play this game and for carrying me through the dark times.”

With all the negative and confusing messages in the world today, these are the positive and uplifting sentiments that we need more of. The world needs more Mark Popes, Bo Nixes and Mason Rudolphs.

Contact Ryan Comer at rcomer@standard.net. Follow him on Twitter at @rbcomer8388 and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/rbcomer8388.

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