Like this man in the image above, there are a lot of people that already have their Christmas tree up and are shopping for Christmas gifts online. This is the time of year when the algorithms in our devices learn our browsing habits and then send us all of the things similar to the those that we are searching for. This keeps us browsing longer in our devices.

I have been victim every year to this. I have spent way too much time in my phone browsing things I don’t plan on buying just to see what there is to see. It takes me away from spending proper time with children and my day disappears faster than I would like.

In Matthew Chapter 7:7-8, Jesus says:

7. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Let’s break this down. To ask is to have Faith in God that when we pray, He will help us find our answers through revelation. Seeking happens through study and meditation. Knocking is through the learning we do to find our answer by educating ourselves.

Just like we take great efforts to shop for holiday gifts at Christmas time, if we search the scriptures for the things that we need, we will find them also. Unlike our devices, there is no algorithm that does the work for us. We are the one that needs to have the desire to work for what we are looking for.

“He cannot help us remember things we have not labored to learn.” Elder David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I know this quote to be true. In fact, it came as an answer to something I was praying about. I understood that me simply asking was not enough. I needed to put great effort into finding this answer and then the Lord would bless my efforts.

Recently, just this year really, I have learned not only to understand the scriptures, but to really enjoy searching in them for answers. I believe that as God has noticed my desire and efforts to really learn more, He has opened up my ability to understand the things I am reading in the scriptures.

I’m still struggling with Isaiah, but I am getting some understanding of his writings. This makes me so happy. What was once very difficult for me to read and understand is now becoming exciting for me to reach to and learn from in my daily life.

I am still looking for answers, but I now understand that He will give them to me. First, I must really labor in my efforts to learn and understand. I have no doubts that He will guide me in my understanding to prepare my mind, heart, and soul for what I am asking to learn of Him.

Seek and ye shall find. Just like the algorithms in our devices that have a purpose to help us find what we are looking for, Heavenly Father wants us to find what we are looking for. We just need to put forth more effort for this gift.

I hope that while you are looking for gifts this holiday season, you remember to Trick the Algorithm by looking for things of Christ as well. I know that by doing this, we will have the joy and happiness that Jesus Christ brings into our lives long after the excitement from the Christmas gifts has passed.

I invite everyone to buy at least one thing that has to do with Jesus Christ this year. A nativity, a calendar, a book, a movie, anything that will help to put your focus on Him. I know this will help you to feel true joy this Christmas season as it brings me so much joy every year.

No matter what Christmas looks and feels like to you, finding Jesus Christ will make it the most special time of year for you. The birth of Jesus Christ is what brought Hope to the world.

For some people, Christmas is not a joyful time of year. There is loneliness, fighting with family, no food or presents to give, and tragedy. No matter what the circumstances are, Jesus Christ is always there to bring hope and joy. Put your focus on Him and you will feel peace and love this Christmas.