The gift of Christmas

I cannot think about Christmas without thinking of Christ.

There is no greater gift than the sacrifice which He freely offered for me and for you. Recently, I reread this post and was reminded of the torment and anguish that I experienced at the beginning of this year. I remembered having a glimpse of the despair and horror that exists when we live without hope.

But because of Him, there is hope. Because of Him, there is peace. And because of Him, there is a way out.

As I sit here contemplating Jesus Christ, I weep with gratitude for what He came here to do. For what He was willing to offer. For what He was willing to bear. And for what He was willing to descend below so that He could understand, succor, and carry me.

And you.

I know that He did it. That Jesus was born of Mary. That He lived a sinless life. That He was baptized and obedient to all of His Father's commandments. That He took upon himself our sins and sorrows and iniquities and died on the cross. And that He rose on the third day.

I know that He lives today.

This year I have come to know Him in a way that I could not have anticipated twelve months ago. He is my friend and has been my one constant source of strength. He has lifted, consoled, succored, carried, empowered, strengthened, guided, and enabled me and because of Him I can live a life full of peace, hope, and joy.

I know that Jesus Christ is there for each of us. If there was one gift I could give to you this Christmas, it would be the chance to know Him better.


Alma a Book of Mormon prophet, said of Christ, 

       10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

        11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

        12 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.

       13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

       14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.

       15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.

       16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me.

I may never be grateful that Jacob got brain cancer, but I will always be grateful for the chance I have had to walk with Jesus this year. 

I love my Savior. 

He is the gift of Christmas. 

He is Christmas.

He is Christ.