Sunday, December 22, 2013

What Christmas Means to Me

Today we had our annual Christmas program during Sacrament meeting. It was wonderful. Janet and I were in the choir. We sang several songs, and there were scripture readings and two talks. The talks were really good, and emphasized not only Jesus' birth, but also his mission in life and the purpose of his coming into mortality. This was made more poignant by the circumstance that yesterday a beloved member of our ward passed away at age 79. I joined his children and grandchildren in tears off and on through the meeting. This made it all the more wonderful that the speakers emphasized all that Christ has done for us.

Because of Jesus, our friend John's story is not done. He is reunited with his parents and siblings, and his beloved Norma will join them when her time comes. Because of Jesus all of our mortal loneliness and sorrow and illness and frailty has an end. Because of Jesus we can be reunited with or families in joy for eternity. Because of Jesus we have comfort and hope.

This, to me, is the bottom line about Christmas. It's great to celebrate the new-born babe. But it is even more wonderful to give praise and thanks for the mission this baby boy performed for his Father and for us. I am awed by the whole concept that He would suffer for me personally and for each of you personally. What an amazing love and grace He has for us!

I testify that it is only through this baby Jesus, and the adult Jesus that He became, that we have any hope of salvation, peace, hope, happiness, or eternal life. To provide these things for us is the reason He chose to come to earth. This is why it is so important to me to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, and to love and worship and obey him.

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