His people had gone astray, their focus of faith shifting from the God who redeemed them to the wealth He gave them.

It was 83 BC when Alma set out to reclaim the people of the Church from their crippling pride. He traveled first to the land of Zarahemla and after much affliction and sorrow was able to bring his people to repentance. And from there he crossed the River Sidon into the valley of Gideon, and began once more to teach.

“…there be many things to come;” he said to them, “and behold, there is one thing [which is] more important than they all – for behold, the time is not far distant that the Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.” (Alma 7:7)

Now I’ve often wondered why these ancient ones spoke so often of that sacred Christmas story ‘years’ before it happened. What did it mean to them?

Well, Alma continued, “…behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth. And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, [and] a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Hold Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.” (Alma 7:9-10).

Think of it, the Son of Almighty God was coming to the earth to live among men. What greater tidings could there be than that? And as Alma continued it became evident why this story was so personal to him.

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind…, And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:11-12).

My friends, Jesus was born among men to be a man, and suffer all that man can suffer, that his own soul would be filled with mercy and compassion, and He would know how to save us. He is verily just what the angel announced him to be at Bethlehem to the shepherds, “[For] unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior…” (Luke 2:11)

Alma told the Christmas story to awaken the sleeping faith of his people in a Savior who would come, and be one of them, and could help them as no other could. Jesus “…is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.” (Alma 7:14)

You know, Christmas means so much more when we look beyond the cradle to the Cross, the atonement, the empty tomb.