Christmas

I have been so excited for this day. Today we finally get to put our Christmas Tree and decorations up! We have the Nativity Scenes, Christmas stockings, figurines, books etc. We also have a festive scent to melt, so we can even smell Christmas in the air.

Then there are all the gifts we've been slowly accumulating these past few months. We're not completely done yet, but we're getting there.

We've even made Christmas Eve and Christmas day plans with family. All is coming together.

Boy, this Christmas preparation can be all-consuming!

I recall on the mission, thinking how ironic it was during the weeks prior to Christmas, to tract street after street, only to be told that they were too busy preparing for Christmas to have us come in.

Gratefully, today I was in Matthew 26. And was reminded of where my thoughts most especially need to be during this Christmas season.

I read of the anointing of Jesus. The reverence that that woman must have shown as she poured the 'precious ointment' on His head.

I read of the betrayal of Judas Iscariot. Peters denials. I pondered if I too would have denied Him. Do I deny Him? Do I sell Him? This chapter is very humbling.

And then the Atonement. The great sacrifice Christ suffered for each one of us. There is little in this account of what the Atonement was, and I'm finding it hard to explain it myself, but I'll find some scriptures elsewhere that may help.

Luke 22:41-44, Alma 7:11-12, Doctrine and Covenants 19:15-18

What I can share though, is what it has meant, and continues to mean for me.

All that is good in my life comes because of Jesus' great sacrifice for me. The peace in my soul is because of repentance. The spirit in our home because of His promises. The joy in my life because of His mercy. The richness of love. The hope of healing. The goodness of God. All that I prize in my life is because Christ suffered for my sins. And yours too! I am so unworthy, of myself, of these blessings. So unworthy. Yet, life is so good.

I testify of Jesus. That He is our Saviour. And that He lives. His Kingdom is already established upon this earth, and His gospel, in all it's truth and light, is here in it's fulness! He will come again, and I thrill for that day! I commend Him to you. Despite all that is bad in this world, there is so much good. So much joy to be had. And it is only through Him.

I hope we can all do better to remember Jesus Christ (and all He means in our lives) this season, and always.