“The Gift of Showing Up”

As a kid, most years we celebrated Christmas Eve at my grandparents' house. Tons of food, family, and love. This always included a reenactment of the Christmas Story. I have fond memories of my family's chaotic attempt to keep Christ in Christmas.

One of my favourite moments is when the angels proclaim Christ’s birth to a group of humble shepherds. Not kings, scholars, or people of influence - ordinary people doing ordinary work. Yet when they heard the good news, they “came with haste” to find the Savior lying in a manger (Luke 2:16).

They simply showed up.

No fanfare. No hesitation. No fancy gifts. Just faithful disciples responding to the call.

As I reflect on our ward family’s focus this past year - “2025 The Year of Ministering!”- I’ve seen so many of you show up in the same way. And because of that, we witnessed miracles.

In 2026, we’ll take on a new focus - one that I hope will strengthen our faith and draw us even closer to the Savior. But I feel a gentle concern that the spirit of ministering we’ve worked so hard to build could fade. Ministering is too important—second only to the saving ordinances—to let it slip from our hearts or our habits.

So, this Christmas season, as we celebrate Jesus Christ, let’s continue what He would do:

Show up with a prayer.

Show up with a listening ear.

Show up with a small act of kindness.

Show up in the ways the Spirit whispers.

As we do, I promise we will feel closer to Christ, closer to each other, and more aware of the quiet miracles that still happen when disciples choose to “come with haste.”

Merry Christmas, my amazing ward family.

Bishop Drew Wolsey