The true meaning of Christmas!

This month has been a super crazy month.  So many great traditions and memories were made.  I was very grateful for the opportunity I had to also reflect on the Saviors birth this month and to remember the true meaning of Christmas.  It is very easy to get caught up in the worldly idea of Christmas which is fun but I think it is very important to take some time to realize why we celebrate this special day each year.  We had a relief society lesson one week that was nothing but a reflection of the Saviors life.  It was incredible.  It was just what I needed to get me thinking and focusing on the amazing miracle of our Saviors birth.  Each year our church has an amazing devotional given by the Prophet of the church and his counselors.  It is always so uplifting and brings the spirit of Christ into our homes.  Here are some quotes that have been shared about our Saviors birth and about the Christmas season...

“When we keep the spirit of Christmas, we keep the Spirit of Christ, for the Christmas spirit is the Christ Spirit. It will block out all the distractions around us which can diminish Christmas and swallow up its true meaning.

“There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus Christ.

“Because He came to earth, we have a perfect example to follow. As we strive to become more like Him, we will have joy and happiness in our lives and peace each day of the year. It is His example which, if followed, stirs within us more kindness and love, more respect and concern for others.

“Because He came, there is meaning to our mortal existence.

“Because He came, we know how to reach out to those in trouble or distress, wherever they may be.

“Because He came, death has lost its sting, the grave its victory. We will live again because He came.

“Because He came and paid for our sins, we have the opportunity to gain eternal life.” (President Thomas S. Monson, 2011 First Presidency Christmas Devotional)

The Christmas season is a time to reflect and act upon the blessings and opportunities we have because of the birth, life, Atonement, and Resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As our Heavenly Father “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16), we express our love toward one another and toward God and his precious Son by giving of ourselves.

What an amazing gift we have been given....A Savior!  I hope that each one of you took the time to remember this great gift and celebrated the true meaning of Christmas!

Here is the account of Jesus' birth!  I know that the Christmas season has come and gone but we can read and rejoice in this event all year long.  

Isa. 7: 14	(2 Ne. 17: 14) virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.
Isa. 9: 6	(2 Ne. 19: 6) unto us a child is born.
Micah 5: 2	Bethlehem . . . out of thee shall he come forth.
Matt. 1: 23	virgin shall . . . bring forth a son . . . Emmanuel.
Matt. 2: 1	Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
Luke 1: 31	bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus.
Luke 2: 11	unto you is born this day . . . a Saviour, which is Christ.
John 1: 14	(John 1: 3) Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.
Rom. 1: 3	Jesus . . . made of the seed of David.
Gal. 4: 4	God sent . . . Son, made of a woman.
1 Ne. 10: 4	(1 Ne. 19: 8; 2 Ne. 25: 19) six hundred years . . . God raise up among the Jews even a Messiah.
1 Ne. 11: 18	mother of the Son of God.
2 Ne. 26: 3	signs given . . . of his birth.
Alma 7: 10	he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem.
Hel. 14: 4	sign . . . before he is born.
3 Ne. 1: 19	day that the Lord should be born.
D&C 20: 1	since the coming of our Lord . . . in the flesh.
D&C 76: 41	he came into the world, even Jesus.
D&C 93: 4	I . . . made flesh my tabernacle.
Moses 5: 57	(Moses 6: 57-62) Son . . . should come in the meridian of time.