The reason for the season

This isn't a good picture at all but it represents a moment that I would like to share.  As we walked through Temple Square on the first Sunday of December, we turned west to walk to the nativity and I got a glimpse of the beautiful statue of Christ that is located in the central area of the north visitor center on Temple Square.  You know how it is, I have seen that statue many times, I have stood at the feet of it and considered the life of our God who it represents, and I have had peaceful moments in the beautiful setting with the celestial skies covering the ceiling--yet, this time, I gasp unexpectedly at the beautiful reminder of the reason for the season.

I know on that Holy Night our Savior was born as a newborn baby to Mary in Bethlehem. Angels proclaimed His birth to shepherds who were watching in their fields.  Wise men saw the signs of the heavens and begun their journey to worship him. And on this side of the earth, believers were saved because of the appearance of the sign given to them of his birth--a day a night and a day without darkness.  He lived as an example to us of how to live, how to love each other and to honor His Father and our Father, God.  And then he died for me and for you so that we can repent and make ourselves clean--time and time again as we go through our mortal journey.  Then He rose on that Easter morning loosening the bounds of death for all mankind.  We will live again and through the Atonement we can live that life with our families in the kingdom of Our Heavenly Father.  To quote from the document "The Living Christ":  "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."  I have included a link to that document as it is a great summary of the Christ who I worship at this time of the year and all year through.

The Living Christ

Truly, it is always a Merry Christmas no matter the gifts, or troubles, or disappointments.  Christ did come, He did live and die for us  and made the way for us to return back home to the place we all started from.

So Merry Christmas and have a great new Year!