It's important to remember this time of year and always that Jesus Christ is a living, breathing, immortal and glorified man, the Son of God. His life is not just a story. The miracles truly happened, and Jesus will do miracles in the lives of all of us today as well. He lives. He is real. He loves us, is aware of our every need, knows our hearts, and wants to help us live with Him and God our loving Heavenly Father again. He suffered and died for us and rose from the dead forevermore. I know this is true. Many others alive today and in the scriptures have testified of the same:
"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-
That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)
"And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made unto our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.
And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.
For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time." (2 Nephi 11:4-6)
"Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)
Christ Himself promised, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Because He lives, because He was born in Bethlehem and fulfilled all that the Father asked of Him, there in nothing we can't overcome. He lived for us and died for us. Christmas and Easter are beautiful reminders of that triumph, that permanent helping hand and hope extended to every person on earth if we will but come unto Christ and repent of our sins. Elder Holland, a modern day apostle of Christ taught, "So today we celebrate the gift of victory over every fall we have ever experienced, every sorrow we have ever known, every discouragement we have ever had, every fear we have ever faced-to say nothing of resurrection from death and forgiveness for our sins.....that first Easter sequence of Atonement and Resurrection constitutes the most consequential moment, the most generous gift, the most excruciating pain, and the most majestic manifestation of pure love ever to be demonstrated in the history of this world." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Where Justice Love and Mercy Meet", April 2015)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Because Christ was born, died, and rose again, we can become free from death. This life will not be the end for anyone. "As in Adam all men die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." (1Corinthians 15:22) We can repent: leave behind the shame and guilt of our wrong doings and become whole because of the Savior. He suffered those things already for us. We can be strengthened every day of our lives to do good and be better. We can be good, and then better, and even holy because of His power. We can return to the presence of God someday to be judged free of sin and confident that we are clean. We can be with those we love forever. Our every loss here on earth will be made up.
Why? Because God is merciful. He loves me and He loves you!! I know I have felt peace and forgiveness. I have felt help when I was tired, comfort when I was sad, and more strength when I needed a boost. You are a child of God and He will help you also. Ask for that help.
So today, and every day until Christmas and hopefully every day after, go and find someone to help. Find someone to bless and uplift. For specific daily ideas, visit mormon.org. Take the gratitude you feel for Jesus and Heavenly Father and share it with someone else. If you feel you don't know much about them, learn more. Read the scriptures. Pray, even if you feel guilty for your past or if it's been a while. They love you. Your prayers will be heard. After telling a story of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), an example of selfless service to others even if they are different than you, Jesus admonished, "Go, and do thou likewise."
{CTR Always, ETTE}
Merry Christmas!
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