The Greatest Gift

As the holidays approach we all begin to think of putting up the decorations, getting the right tree, shopping for the right gifts, and making sure we have everything for the Christmas feast. These are all good things to make sure we have prepared so we can have a wonderful Christmas, but do we take time to stop and remember the gift that we have all been given?

"Heavenly Father gave this gift to all of us, young or old, rich or poor. We did not have to search the shops for it. It did not cost us a single penny. It did not come wrapped in shiny wrapping paper. The most treasured gift of all was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger. It was sent to all of us with love from our Heavenly Father."  ~Joan M. Olenycz

Jesus Christ is the greatest gift given to us all from our loving Heavenly Father. So remember this season the reason we celebrate Christmas.

Jesus Suffered for You

"Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." Mosiah 14:4-5
Jesus Christ has borne our griefs, and he know how we feel. He has "gone forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people...and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11,12) He has suffered all so that we don't have to.

Elder Holland of the Twelve Apostles helps us understand this point:



Jesus loves you and because of His love for you he suffered everything you can imagine and more. Come unto Him and He will give you rest.