It started out with a loving couple, who were put into a difficult spot with an unexpected pregnancy, but who stuck it out together! They simply loved one another, and faced their trials together! This Christmas, be grateful for your person, and make sure they know what they mean to you. If you don’t have a person yet, remember the operative word, yet! It will come and it will be everything you hoped it would be.
“The story of Christmas is a story of love.” – Henry B. Eyring
The Gospel of Jesus Christ should be bright spot of hope for each and every one of us. Yet, many find it difficult to see the light through poor examples, a bad experience with a member or simply being preached to without love. We can do better and we must do better. Invite with love, don’t force! Encourage, and don’t stop being friends with someone because they declined your invitation. Simply love them, and let the light of the Saviour shine through you!
“Don’t make the joy of the gospel unenjoyable for someone else.” – Quincy Walker
Jesus Christ lived, suffered and died for each and every one of us. But more than that, He was born, grew and learned what life was like so that He may better understand what it means to be mortal. I hope we never forget the Man and strive to emulate Him in our own lives. Because of Him, we can repent and press forward! Because of Him, we can be clean!
“As we celebrate Christmas, I pray that we can each recognize and accept the great gift of our Savior Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice. Coming to understand the great gift of His Atonement is an individual pursuit for each child of God. What peace, what comfort this great gift is!” – M. Russell Ballard
The gifts we have been given are great! We truly have been given much. We can share those gifts with others by loving, serving, and sacrificing for them! We can help them recognize God’s love for them through our actions!
“You can have a great and wonderful Christmas if you remember the gifts God has given you and, as best you can, offer them to others as He would.” – Henry B. Eyring
I’ve shared this quote before but I doubt I’ll ever stop loving it! When there are times of trouble, pray there is a covenant keeper around because they will live and serve and strive to do as Christ would do and that will make all the difference! Remember your covenants, and keep them!
“The greatest compliment that can be earned here in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper. The rewards for a covenant keeper will be realized both here and hereafter. We, as faithful children of the covenant, will be blessed now and forever.” – Russell M. Nelson
Loved the First Presidency Christmas Devotional! Gonna need to rematch that one!
“He would tread the wine press of redemption utterly and entirely alone, with no mortal companion who would aid Him and no heavenly companion who could. In bearing all the sins and sorrows of mortality, He would bring the incomprehensible gift of salvation to the entire human family from Adam to the end of the world. In the full course of His journey, He would be the Shepherd and Bishop of our Souls, the Great High Priest of our Profession, the free-flowing Fountain of all Righteousness. All those duties and demands would be met. But not this night! Here He was just a baby in the arms of a mother who adored Him, watched over by a father who was gentle and strong.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
Look to God and live! As you seek Him, He will lead and guide you and help you to be the best version of yourself; the person you were always meant to be!
“If we look up and look to God and live, we will discover that Jesus Christ is the greatest gift. Opening that gift gives us the key to a wonderful, peaceful life.” – Brent H. Nielson
When the day is come, let us make sure we done all things that were asked, fought the good fight, and have served the Lord! Not for honour or glory, but because we love Him, and doing so allows us to progress and be better!
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” – Matthew 25:21
#jeffreyrholland shared this and I’ve thought of it often! I hope we all will err on the side of showing another kindness, especially when there’s nothing to gain from it. Just go about doing good recklessly. You will never regret being a little too kind!
“I have wept in the night at my shortness of sight that to others’ needs made me blind, But I never have yet had a twinge of regret for being a little too kind.” – C.R. Gibson
The Plan of Salvation isn’t true because anyone says so. The Atonement of Jesus Christ isn’t a convenient catch all in the Gospel. They are very real and very true aspects of our life. But you don’t need to take my word for it, or anyone else’s. There is no effort to dupe, trick or coerce anyone into anything. Take time to get to know your Heavenly Father and Saviour Jesus Christ for yourself. Search your sacred memories. Pause and regain your perspective and then carry on. I’m not asking you to pretend to faith you don’t have, but honour the faith you do have, and give that seed room to grow.
“Some things are simply true. The arbiter of truth is God – not your favourite social media news feed, not google, and certainly not those who are disaffected from the Church.” – Russell M. Nelson
Seek Him! Seek Peace! Thank Him for His infinite goodness! For His humility and willingness to serve us! For His willingness to take upon Himself our sorrows, and know that when you are struggling, He understands! He loves you! Seek Him!
“At this Christmas season our thoughts turn to this babe born in Bethlehem. I urge you to seek this Jesus. He truly is the Prince of Peace. I invite you to draw closer to Him and experience the joy that envelops all who are willing to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. As one of His Apostles, I bless you with the ability to receive and feel the infinite love that our Saviour and our Heavenly Father have for you. May you have a Christmas filled with peace, love, and joy.” – Russell M. Nelson
We each have a sphere of influence where we only can serve and help! It’s part of why we’re here! To be tested, tried and learn to love and serve those around us.
“The privilege to render service to others can come to each of us. If we look, we too will see a bright, particular star that will guide us to our opportunity.” – Thomas S. Monson
Remember, God is at the helm! He loves us and although things might seem to be crazy, that’s strictly from our limited perspective! God sees the big picture and is working all things for our benefit and learning! Trust in Him and know he’s got your back, even if that includes struggling in this mortal frame.
“Though we don’t know all things, we know that God lives and that He loves us. Standing on that firm foundation, we can reach up and find strength to endure the heavy burdens of life.” – Russell M. Nelson
The spirit of a Christmas is the spirit of Christ. Full of love, charity, humility, gratitude and family. These are feelings that Christ brings as as we feel them, we are drawn closer to Him!
“The light we love at Christmas emanates from the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.” – Craig C. Christensen
This Christmas is going up be different, but the restrictions and shutdowns might be the perfect opportunity to slow down and regain some perspective. God loves you! Jesus Christ loves you! He condescended from the role as Creator, the Jehovah of the Old Testament, even the Great I AM into the innocent and helpless mortal body of an infant! He did it so He would better understand the difficulties we each face! He did it so He would know how to succor us in our time of need! What a love, I’ll live for that and I hope we each take time to recognize exactly what our Saviour did, then celebrate Him!
“But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or tinsel. With a baby – that’s how Christmas began.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
We are each responsible for our own spiritual growth, but we cannot do it alone and by design we are meant to lean on the Saviour. It is by His grace that we are saved. Look to Him and live!
“The responsibility to endure is yours. But you are never alone. I testify that the lifting power of the Lord can be yours. I know that He will respond to the pleadings of His people.” – Russell M. Nelson
I hope we each take time to honour, revere and rejoice in the miracle that is the birth of our Saviour!
“It is only fitting that we – like the wise men, shepherds, and angels – take time to rejoice and celebrate that glorious first Christmas day.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
There’s is beauty even in difficult times. While we could easily focus solely on the challenges, there is danger in not stopping and recognizing the beauty and miracles we see each day. While 2020 has been tough, miracles have happened! Take time to review your year and see the good that has happened!
“In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. He will sustain you as you work and watch. In His own time and way He will stretch forth His to you, saying, “Here am I.” – D. Todd Christofferson
Our service is important, it pales in comparison to that of our Saviour, but it’s important nonetheless. When we begin to fully comprehend the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we recognize His grace and hopefully will strive to serve Him and live as we best we can.
“Eternal life, made possible by the Atonement, is the supreme purpose of the Creation. When we comprehend His voluntary Atonement, any sense of sacrifice on our part becomes completely overshadowed by a profound sense of gratitude for the privilege of serving Him.” – Russell M. Nelson
Christmas is a time to love and feel of the Spirit of Christ. This Christmas, we can connect with Him more so than ever. Distractions have been removed. Take this time to slow down, contemplate the mysteries of the universe and really try to connect with Him. You will not regret it.
“Let us make Christmas real. It isn’t just tinsel and ribbon. Unless we have made it so in our lived. Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. It is peace because we have found peace in the Savior’s teachings. It is time we realize most deeply that the more love is expended, the more there is of it for others.” – Thomas S. Monson
When we’re actively engaged in serving others, we’re putting ourselves into the right frame of mind to receive inspiration and revelation from God! So if you need a boost, go and serve! Do what Jesus Christ would do if He were here today!
“The most important love is to Love the Lord. It is my experience that spiritual impressions and even revelation come more often when we are serving and blessing other people.” – Quentin L. Cook
The commandments of God free us from the effects of addiction and poor choices while the covenants of god help us to be better and increase our spiritual capacity. Keep the commandments and allow your covenants to elevate you.
“Covenants do not hold us down; they elevate us beyond the limits of our own power and perspective. By doing for others what they cannot do for themselves, we emulate the pattern of the Savior, who wrought the Atonement to bless the lives of other people.” – Russell M. Nelson
The greatest gift that was ever given and in return, we are asked to offer a few loaves and fishes! He performs the miracle! Follow Him, trust in Him and let His Atonement prevail in your life!
“The gift that Christ gives is the greatest gift ever given, and it is everyone who has ever lived; His infinite Atonement. I pray that we will all emulate the life of Jesus Christ and celebrate His mission at this Christmastime.” – Dallin H. Oaks
This was perfectly summed up in Conference by Pres. Nelson with the word myopic. It is this shortsightedness which causes us to forget why our covenants are so important, and makes it so much easier for us to get distracted. We simply must focus on the most important things and follow the better path!
“The cause of most of man’s unhappiness is sacrificing what he wants most for what he wants now.” – Gordon B. Hinckley
Because of Him, we can all be better! We can fall short and fail, and most importantly, we can get up, dust ourselves off and try again! Commit to being better, and never forget the sacrifice that made this gift possible! Give thanks for a loving Saviour this Christmas.
“Jesus Christ was born to bless all humankind, past, present, and future.” – Russell M. Nelson
Let’s be found loving one another, especially those we care most about! Give them space to grow by not judging or restricting them. Love them as our Saviour would, without judgment or skepticism.
“Think the best of each other, especially of those you love. Assume the good and doubt the bad.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
Take time this Christmas to recognize a living God who gives us everything we need to excel in this life. Who loves us without end and provides the peace we each need regardless of the chaos going on around us. Take time this Christmas to #givethanks
“May we, this Christmas season, remember our generous Heavenly Father and give profound and heartfelt thanks to our almighty God, who has given all of His children wings to fly.” – Dieter F. Uchtdorf
We could all use a little guidance in becoming better and who better to seek for guidance than from the Saviour!
“As you draw nearer to the Lord, He will guide you to become the best version of yourself.” – M. Russell Ballard
We will be asked to do hard things, but the King of all, who has done the hardest of things, is there to help us. Trusting in Him won’t take our challenges away, but it will help us to better handle these situations when they arise! Go forth and be valiant!
“God requires hard things of you. With determination and the Lord’s help, you will face those trials valiantly.” – M. Joseph Brough
Merry Christmas! May this season share the light of the Lord on each who strive to Hear Him!
“I want a Christmas – that whispers – Jesus!” Ann Voskamp
Part of the trial of life is overcoming what we want and seeking what He wants! The best way to train our eyes to see is by inviting the spirit and training ours. We do that through prayer, scripture study and service. If you’re struggling with your eyes to see, double check to make sure they are properly trained by doing the right things.
“There may be times when you find yourself struggling to see how God is working in your life – times when you feel under siege – when the trials of mortality bring you to your knees…. you too can pray for the Lord to open your eyes to see things you would not normally see.” – Michelle Craig
Humble, meek and holy! That’s how our Saviour was born and it’s how He lived! He accepted all to come into Him! He loved, He lived and He is my hero!
“Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the east. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph – and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel, with a baby – that’s how Christmas began.” – Jeffrey R. Holland
The birth of the Saviour is as amazing as it is miraculous! He not only lived, but He did all things necessarily for us to repent and return to our Heavenly Parents! He gave all that we might have it all! But we must turn to Him! Merry Christmas!
“Unto you is born this day a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” – Luke 2:11
Our lives are not meant to be easy, it’s meant to be taxing, challenging and soul stretching. Fortunately we can, with the help of Jesus Christ, succeed and win the day!
“The Lord did not make it easy, but He did make it possible.” – Dallin H. Oaks
Our Saviour suffered for each and every one of us, but even more so, after He suffered, he was despised, rejected and tortured! None were with Him. Some of the very people He came to save rejected His offering and would not even stand by Him in His deepest struggles.
“The Lord Jesus Christ died of a broken heart.” – James E. Talmage
We each have been asked to carry a cross, just as Jesus did on his way to Golgotha. These burdens are different for everyone but fortunately and by design, Jesus Christ Atoned for each of us, so He may know how to help us in our time of need, but we must seek Him and His help. If we do, blessings will abound!
“The cross comes before the crown, and tomorrow is a Monday morning.” – C.S. Lewis
When we are doing what we know we should, and striving to #hearhim , we can and should expect to receive revelation.
“Learning to live by the Spirit suggests that we need to expect that we can receive inspiration.” – Ronald A. Rasband
We need to be found choosing the right and keep our word! Don’t hesitate, be the person you promise you would be! Be who you need to be and live with integrity.
“People of integrity and honesty not only practice what they preach, they are what they preach.” – David A. Bednar
Treat your home with the respect it deserves! Keep it a safe space where you and your children can feel the Spirit. Don’t invite Satan inside those four walls.
“Home should be an anchor, a port in the storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are loved and where we can love.” – Marvin J. Ashton
As we transition from one year to another, my hope is we remember whose side we are on, and whose really got our backs. Satan will drop you in a hot minute the second he’s derailed you from the covenant path, whereas Jesus Christ will love you regardless of where you are. He wants the best for you, but allows you the agency to choose for yourself. I’m sure He is disappointed, but He does not rant and rail and gnash His teeth at the thought that you are not listening to Him, but Satan does. Which of these two seems like a better leader? Remember, Christ knows you and what you’re going through and He’s got your back! Do you have His?
“You have the Saviour of the world on your side.” – Gary E. Stevenson
~ Todd Bruce
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