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Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Merry Christmas!

This is such a special time of year in which we celebrate the birth of Our Savior, Jesus Christ. How grateful I am to Heavenly Father for sending His son be born in such humble circumstances of a virgin and a man who would raise him as his own. Jesus came into the world on a sacred, silent night in a manger. I often ponder about Mary and what she was feeling, what she went through. There were no doctors, nothing hygienic about the situation. Surrounded by animals and with her sweet husband Joseph, Mary gave birth to our Savior, our Redeemer Jesus Christ. How grateful I am to Mary and Joseph for trusting Heavenly Father's plan for them, and for this little tiny babe, who would grow up to be something more than I am sure they could even fathom.

Last night we had part of our Christmas celebration early because my nieces and their parents are flying over to spend Christmas with her family. Part of our Christmas tradition is for all of the returned Missionaries to share their testimonies in the language they spoke. Every single one of them said something about the fact that without the Atonement, the birth of Jesus Christ would have been just another baby born into the world. There is so much I need to learn and understand about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, but I know that He lived and died for me. I know that I am a child of God and He loves me. There are times I question things, but I know it is true.

I am so grateful for my testimony of Jesus Christ and the love He brings to me. I know I am the person I am today by and large because of the Atonement and His infinite love and grace. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I am so grateful to have such amazing, wonderful friends who care so deeply and purely! May your Christmas be filled with love, laughter and the spirit of our Savior!

7 comments:

Melinda said...

What a beautiful tradition! Thank you for sharing. And the comment about Joseph who helped raise Jesus as his own. I always knew that Christ was literally the son of God, but had never really considered it from Joseph's point of view, for him it was basically adoption-how profound! We love you so much and are hoping you can come visit again sometime SOON!!! My visiting teacher got a new companion and she's new to our ward and she is a massage therapist, which automatically made me think of you :-) Merry Christmas!

Melinda said...

PS I like to think that Mary had heavenly midwives to help her through her birth. There's nothing to really back up that theory, but having been through that process before I like to think that for that occasion she had divine intervention for the birthing process.

The Figgins said...

I miss you today Branders. I hope all is well with you.

Kym said...

I hope your Christmas went well, I sure miss you!!!

Eaton Family said...

Merry Christmas to you too...a few days late. I hope it was a great one. We miss you! My nephew got baptized on Saturday and the baptism was at the Hudson bldg...such fond memories! Hey, you're never too old to stop believing (maybe in Santa...but not in the miracles that can happen). You're always in my prayers!

Darci and Ryan said...

That would be great to see it and read it if you would like to resend it!!! Hope you had happy holidays!

Rawlings Family said...

Merry Christmas. Thanks for the card. This was a wonderful post. I hope you had a great holiday season.