Merry Christmas!

Every year, I try to focus on Christ more than I do Santa.

Of course Santa plays a role at our house, and we talk about him, visit him, and get gifts from him, but he is NOT the reason we celebrate. And my children know that.

Christ is the reason for Christmas. I can remember one day growing up, when my oldest brother was in Seminary (an LDS class that is optional for students to take either during school, or before school), he came home and said, "Never write "X-mas", because you are crossing out the reason for the whole season." I never wrote that again. That simple statement has stayed with me. Christ came to this world for us. He came for you! He came for me!

I was speaking with my Bishop (Our spiritual leader for our area), the other day, and he said, "Do you know what is so amazing about the Atonement? That even if everyone else is the world was perfect, if no one else had ever made any mistakes, no one had ever sinned, no one had ever felt pain, or suffering, no one else, except for me. Christ would still have gone to Gethsemane. He would have still hung on that cross. He would have still suffered for my sins, my pains, and my problems. He would have done it all. He wants us all to live with him again, and would have done everything just for ME!"

That's pretty cool to think about, right? He loves us so much that he wouldn't have changed his mind to save just one person. He would still have suffered all of that, for me. Wow. I can't get it out of my head!

Christ came to this earth with a divine mission. He knew that he had something great to fulfill, and never turned from it.

I have been thinking a lot about the Shepherds on that Amazing night. How must it have been for them to go see the Christ Child, the Lamb of God, and know that he was their Shepherd? Ever thought about that? Shepherds, the men charged with keeping the Temple's flock of First Born Sheep, for sacrifice, were PERSONALLY invited to see the Savior, our SHEPHERD! Christ was the first-born to Mary, the first-born of the LIVING GOD, and he was born to be the final sacrifice for our sins, and save our lives. I keep thinking about how symbolic the entire event is now. How each person there played a significant role. Wise men/Kings came with Great Gifts, and yet Shepherds came with humble hearts and nothing to give but themselves. Somehow I think that both groups were accepted with open arms and gratitude. On that night, everyone was equal. On that night, Christ united them all.

This Christmas, let Christ unite us too! Let Christ truly be the reason for your Christmas Celebrations.

Have a Merry Christmas, and always remember that without Christ there would be no CHRISTMAS!