Every year my parents would show us a video of the story in Luke to invite the Christmas spirit and each morning before we got to go to the shiny new toys and beautifully wrapped gifts my parents would stop us from running like a herd of zebras and have us all kneel in prayer to thank heavenly father for his son Jesus Christ and they would pray that as a family we could remember the true reason for the season.
I am sad to say that for quite some time my heart became lost in the world of Christmas, Not the spirit. I lost the focus on CHRIST.
This year as I am serving my mission I do not have the moment to be caught up in the hustle and bustle of tv commercials, radio advertisements and buzzing busily from each mall to find that perfect gift.
This year it is me and my savior Jesus Christ. The spirit of Christmas is a beautiful thing when we lose our selves in it.
It is my hope that this is a spirit I can keep with me and always remember. The spirit and remembrance of Jesus Christs birth.
The scriptures testify of the coming of our savior time and time again. The Bible and the Book of Mormon together support the divinity and the reality of Jesus Christ, His birth and His earthly ministry. It is my hopes that as you read this blog you can feel of the true spirit of Christmas.
There were many prophecies that a messiah would come into the world and save us from the stains of sin, that would make life possible. Not just life here on earth, but the life here after.
A book of Mormon prophet Samuel the Lamanite tells of the signs that would be shown at the birth of Jesus Christ.
"2 And behold, he said unto them: Behold, I give unto you a sign; for five years more cometh, and behold, then cometh the Son of God to redeem all those who shall believe on his name.
3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign
at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in
heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no
darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.
4 Therefore, there shall be one day
and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night;
and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising
of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a
surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night
shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.
5 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you.
Interesting that the Lords birth would be symbolized by new lights appearing in the Heavens.. To me there is a great significance behind that. Jesus Christ would be a light to the world. A beacon for us to look to when we become lost in darkness. We all pass through darkness in certain phases of our life. However, look to the stars and remember Christ lives today, Miracles have not ceased. It is a new year, a new start, to re commit your self to Christ. How will you make Christ your beacon? How will you make Him your north star, your constant direction and way home to the Father?
Mary is also told of the child she will conceive. I often wonder of what feelings Mary had. I am not a mother, however I am sure at some point or another every mother hopes and prays she will be the mom the Lord needs them to be. Especially bringing up the Son of God who would some day deliver Mary from Her life here on earth into the next life. I wonder if she ever thought why me? Or if she ever wondered if she could do it. When the Lord chooses you to fulfill something he provides the power, and the strength that one needs.
"26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
27 To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.
28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
32 He
shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the
Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Our Savior Jesus Christ came forth humbly He didn't come on a throne made of gold and silver. He enter the world as a small baby boy. A baby boy that would some day grow to perform miracles beyond anything any one could imagine.
"8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
15 And
it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven,
the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,
and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known
unto us.
16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."
"For with God nothing shall be impossible."
The shepherds took action. They instantly sought for Christ. They journeyed to find him. We all pass through a journey to find the Savior and to find what he means to us.
Let us find Him.
Christmas is a beautiful time of year where the true meaning is often over looked for the want of new things, a season where wants and needs become confused. The greatest gift ever given to the world then becomes forgotten. We forget the moment that Jesus Christ set aside His will for His fathers plan. The moment that our Savior came forth humbly into our world as a beautiful new baby.
How can you center this season on Christ?
“When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning."
The greatest way to spread the love of Christ is through serving those we meet.Give of your time lift the hearts of those who stand in need of comfort.
Give of your heart, Give love. Christ is the ultimate gift and look what he gave. He gave love. Pure unshaken, un stoppable love. Into this world He was born to bring forth hope, peace, rescue and joy.
Born in a manger, an innocent perfect baby boy. Gods Son Jesus Christ, here on earth. On this day my best friend was born. My life journey became less alone because in His life time he suffered everything that we would suffer, the loss of those he loved, the temptations of sin in which he was able to over come, the pains of false accusations, the heart ache of betrayal, the pains of sin from his brothers and sisters, us, and the withdrawing of the Holy Ghost. At some point or another we all have passed through moments such as those. We have been abandoned. we have been betrayed. We have felt pain from our poor choices and at some point or another the spirit of God has withdrawn from us to an extent.
All these things he did so that you wouldn't be alone. Because he loves you. Because he loves me. Because he loves everyone.
Christ came to earth. He was born. He lived. He died. and He lives again. Now go out and find ways you are going to focus your CHRISTmas on CHRIST. I know that the true spirit of christmas can be in our hearts and our homes as we focus ourselves on him. That we can carry the true spirit of the holiday with us where ever we may go and bring smiles to the faces of our fellow men.
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