Celebrate the WHY of Christmas

I don't know if all of you have seen the video "He Is the Gift" 

that was released by the church a little while ago, but if you haven't I invite you to go to lds.org or christmas.mormon.org and check it out. It is pretty incredible. Don't want to spoil the plot, but basically it reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas. Lots of the times we get caught up in the presents and parties and all that jazz, 

when in reality we should be focusing on the "Christ" part of Christmas.  

The birth of Christ was a miraculous moment that changed the world, 

but really when we celebrate that moment, we are not celebrating the WAY He came into the world, but rather the WHY. 

By celebrating the beginning of His mortal ministry, 

we are really celebrating the end of it. 

From the very beginning, He knew He would be the One to sacrifice himself 

to pay the grand price for our sins and sorrows. 

As the prophet Alma, from The Book of Mormon taught:

 "...I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; 

for the Lord God hath spoken it.

For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; 

this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, 

which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men 

that they may have faith unto repentance.

 (Alma 34:8-9,15 in The Book of Mormon, emphasis added)

So this Christmas, instead of centering your attention on all of the great frilly things about Christmas, I invite you to seek out the greatest Gift of all. 

Free of charge, quality guaranteed. 

I know that the discovery of this gift can, and with your choice, 

change all of your Christmases (and the other 364 days of the year as well).

Merry week-before-Christmas to all!    Con amor, Hermana Jones