The Gift

He is the gift.

Christmas is coming! I love Christmas with all my heart! Not for the gifts, not for the food or treats, not for the lights, or the songs, although I love all of these things too: the reason I love Christmas so much is because of Him. He is the ultimate gift.

Every year at Christmas we are really busy preparing for Christmas morning. The morning we see if we made it on the "nice list", the morning we see what Santa left us, the morning we spend with family and/or friends. Christmas is the biggest morning of the year! Why? Not because of the presents, not because of Santa, not because of parties: but because of Him. He is the ultimate gift.

He led us by His example. He taught us the way. He was a healer. He was a forgiver. He lived for me and you. He died for me and for you. He felt all your pain. He is your big brother. He is the ultimate gift.

Christ is the reason for this holiday season. Did you know that "mas" means "more"? Christmas then, means: MORE CHRIST. He truly is the reason for Christmas. How then, can you and I have "more Christ" this holiday season? I believe the first step is by recognizing that Christ is the gift; the reason for the season. Not Santa, or physical gifts, but rather spiritual gifts.

As I stated earlier, Christ is the ultimate example of what we must become. What did Christ do during His mortal ministry? He served everyone. The rich, the poor, the weary, the crippled, the lost, the homeless, the blind, the broken vessels, and even His apostles. He truly served and loved every single person because He knew He was their elder brother, and He also knew that we are all Heavenly Father's children. He never thought of Himself as better or wiser than others: He simply loved and served all because that is what His Father, our Father, asked Him to do. Have we all not been asked to do the same? Haven't we too been called upon to lift others, serve, and love everyone? What must we do then, during this season of "more Christ"? We must simply follow His example.

The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints has made a website for this very purpose. I want to share this page with you in hopes that it will help you this holiday season to know how to follow Him. Click here to visit this page. On this page there is a video. Watch that first. The video is called "HE IS THE GIFT." After you watch this video, scroll down and learn about how you can discover THE GIFT, Embrace THE GIFT, and Share THE GIFT this Christmas.

I know that it is very easy to get caught up in the ways of the "worldly Christmas." It is very easy to forget that the reason we even celebrate Christmas is because of Christ, His life, and His example. However, I testify that if we can truly remember the reason for this holiday season: this holiday will suddenly become so much more to us personally, and we will want to share that joy and goodness with others as Christ did. I know and promise that if we can learn to make Christ the center, or "focus point" of our Christmas, we will be truly blessed. We will see "more Christ", we will be happier, we will feel the spirit, and Christmas will be what Heavenly Father truly wants and needs Christmas to be. We will love others with a more perfect love, we won't be angry, Christmas will become more peaceful, less stressful and more loving, and we will be more willing serve and love all those we meet. I challenge you this Christmas season to invite "more Christ" into your life. I challenge you to fine ways to serve, love, and make a difference this season of Christ. I know this will bring many blessings into your life and you will draw closer to Christ. I promise these things and I testify of their truth,

In the Name Of Jesus Christ,
Amen

Love,
Samantha