Episode 33: The Exquisite Gift of the Son
2020 started out much like any other year for me--I reflected on the previous year, set some new goals, revised our family budget, started a new workout schedule (me and a billion others, right?), and I thought about the dreams I’d had for the year that never became a reality--and then I beat myself up and vowed to make the new year my year for change. And wow! Little did I know what lay in store for us in 2020! Despite all my planning, I was not prepared for a global pandemic, online teaching, a toilet paper shortage, wearing a mask, and loss! So much loss!
How do I celebrate and be joyful when so many around me are hurting?
But this is precisely what the Christmas story is all about. When, in a world of sin and sorrow, “Joy” came to the world. The good news that Jesus, the Anointed One, came to earth to save us all from our fallen state.
But before Christ came, there were two Heavenly parents who loved you and me so much, that they sent their perfect child to earth to perform a sacrifice so great and terrible that He would bleed from every pore and suffer nearly unto death.
We cannot comprehend the depths of Christ’s suffering.
And we cannot comprehend the depth of love our Heavenly parents have for us in giving us the gift of their Son to be our Savior and Redeemer. As parents, we experience, to some degree, a kind of love that is so profoundly powerful that we would do anything--even give our life to save our children.
But can we even imagine what it would be like to watch one of our own children give their life to save their brothers and sisters? To watch them suffer and cry out in pain, to ask us if there was any other way possible to save their siblings?
This is the first gift of Christmas--the gift of a child--a child who would become the Savior of all humanity. Emmanuel.
(Photo by Dave Blackhurst/UV Mag)
Elder Matthew Holland teaches us about some of the gifts that have come to us because of “The Exquisite Gift of the Son.” He said, “All good gifts come from the Savior...He alone holds the full power and healing balm to correct every mistake, right every wrong, adjust every imperfection, mend every wound, and deliver every delayed blessing.”
"Under His direction, your divine destiny will be one of unparalleled magnificence and indescribable joy--a joy so intense and so unique to you, your particular “ashes” will become beauties “beyond anything earthly.”
I genuinely hurt for the loss so many have experienced in 2020. But because of the Exquisite Gift of the Son, there is One who can.
I cannot describe the depths of love our Heavenly Parents have for us. I simply don’t have the words for it. But there is one word that captures perfectly the essence of that love--and that word is Jesus.
Do ONE Thing Invitation
Think of one thing you will do in 2021 to remain optimistic regardless of what the year may bring. Share your ONE THING in a social media post or story.
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Resources:
"The Exquisite Gift of the Son" Elder Matthew S Holland
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Have a wonderful week, everyone! And Happy New Year!!