Saturday, December 18, 2010

The Gift of Christmas

A few days ago, Jack received a call from a blood bank, asking him to donate blood for a child who will have heart surgery this week.
What a wonderful gift I thought, to give of yourself in such a way at Christmas time.
My thoughts turned to our Savior, I thought of His birth, atonement and resurrection. I thought of how He gave a drop of blood for me in the Garden of Gethsemane, suffering immense pain for me. Atoned for my sins, feeling Himself every pain I will experience in this Earth life; that He may succor me, empathize and truly know my sorrows and suffering.

I can't imagine a greater gift than what Christ has already given me. An opportunity, (through my faithfulness and obedience) to have Eternal Life.
The gift of Eternal Life with Him alone is amazing to me, but through the blessings of His Holy Temples I can be with my family forever!
When I ponder on the blessing of my Eternal Family, I can scarcely take it in.

As I ponder on Christ's endearing love for me, I can hardly comprehend a capacity to love unconditionally as He loves.

I resolve and pray each day for His help to become the person I want to ultimately become; meek, mild, humble, to revere all people as He does. To be more like Him.
With each passing day, I know my prayers for His help to become who I want to be, and my repentance when I fall short; are accepted because of His atoning sacrifice.

He is the light and life, the Living Water of which we can "drink and never thirst".

He changes my heart, He grants my petitions, He saves my soul, He gives me the opportunity to have life Eternal, He gives me strength, He gives me love, He gives me hope, He gives me faith, He gives me light, He gives me Everything! His gifts are Eternal.

May His Eternal gifts be well with all of us this Christmas season and forever.

I extend my love for my Savior, even the Savior of the World; Jesus Christ.

I know that He lives! I know that He will come to Earth again. I look forward with faith to the day I kneel at His feet in reverence and gratitude for all He has given me.