December is a crazy month. I feel so much p
ressure to get stuff done. Now “stuff” includes finishing my ever-growing must finish Christmas movie list, drinking a cup of hot chocolate while sitting on my porch in 75 degree weather, and finding the perfect gifts for e.v.e.r.y.o.n.e. Finding THE perfect gift for someone can be a daunting task, especially when you are poorer than Tiny Tim from the Muppet’s Christmas Carol (Netflix must see). This is #Clott’s first Christmas and we are excited to establish some of our own traditions. We decided to start a daily Christmas scripture chain. Each day we read a few scriptures from the Old and New Testaments that focus on Christ. On our first day we read John 1: 1-5
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
After reading this clump of scriptures, Mr. Bird and I discussed them and I had a thought….We started talking about the Plan of Salvation and the knowledge that this world and everyone who has come and gone made the choice to come and experience life. I thought about how I made the decision to come to earth and started to laugh at some of the things I agreed to. I agreed to everything I would experience the good and the bad. I have had times in my life where I have felt that I couldn’t go on whether it be physically or emotionally and on the flip side I have had times where life was p.e.r.f.e.c.t. The “Negative Nancy” in my thought back to the harder times in my life and reflected on the only way I made it through, it was with the help of my Savior, Jesus Christ.
I continued to think about the scriptures and how they related to Christmas and the birth of our Savior. From the beginning, it was known that God would send his son to earth to die for us, to suffer all the pain and sins so that we could return to live with God one day. The birth of our Savior was not a last-minute gift. He wasn’t the product of a quick trip to the mall on Christmas Eve.Sometimes the best gifts are not hidden under festive wrapping paper and cellophane. It was known from the beginning that he would be the Savior of the world. I had a profound sense of love fill my soul as I realized this. It reminded me of the true meaning of Christmas. I am humbled at the knowledge that because of this gift my family can be together forever.
As we enter the Christmas season and we are either elated or disappointed at the gifts we receive, remember you were already given the most important one.
