Gifts of Christ

Alright, so I typed up this huge long post last night only to have it freeze up on me when I put the pictures on that I wanted. How frustrating. So, I tried again today and it must be the pictures because it froze up again. Thankfully didn't type it all up and then put the pictures on. I guess you all will have to read a really long post without pictures. Sorry.

I have decided that to try to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas this year, I would think of things that we are giving through/by the Savior. I will try to do this everyday. And as I am already behind, I will try to get a little caught up.

1. The first thing that I thought of that the Savior gave us was a world to live in. To go along with this I picked the scripture Abraham 3:24 which says, "And there stood among them that was like unto God, and he said unto those who were with him: We will go down, for there is space there, and we will take of these materials, and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell." I am very grateful for this world to live in. Even though it has it's downs, like the freezing cold weather, weeds, and mosquitoes, there are definitely more things that are beautiful about it then not.
2. The second gift is free agency. In 2 Nephi 10:23 it says, "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." Free agency is one thing I am definitely grateful that the Savior offered us in his plan. Even though at times I would rather someone else make the decisions or choices for me, I do not want to be pushed into something I wouldn't want to do. Or pushed into something I do want to do for that matter. I like to make my own decisions at my own time.
3. The third gift is a way to repent. Mosiah 13:28 states," And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sings and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish." I am very grateful for what Jesus did for us to repent. Even though I am very sorry for things he has had to suffer because of me. When I think of repentance I think of the song on "My Turn on Earth" that talks about how we are the ones that writes our own stories and if we mess us, we can always erase and start over again. That song always gives me a feeling of hope.
4. Resurrection. Mosiah 16:7 says, "And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory, and that death should have not sing, there could have been no resurrection." I am grateful that he was resurrected in order for us to be resurrected again to a perfect physical state. I look forward to the day that I am resurrected and can stand before him, hopefully worthy enough to live with him forever.

I hope to do this everyday in order to uplift those that read and also to record for myself the things that I realize that Christ has given to us. Hopefully it will bring a better meaning of Christmas to us.