Sunday, December 7, 2014

Christ and the Spirit of Giving



"Think of the simple yet dignified way our Heavenly Father chose to honor the birth of His Son. On that holy night, angels appeared not to the rich but to shepherds. The Christ child was born not in a mansion but in a manger. He was wrapped not in silk but in swaddling clothes.
The simplicity of that first Christmas foreshadowed the life of the Savior. Though He had created the earth, walked in realms of majesty and glory, and stood at the right hand of the Father, He came to earth as a helpless child. His life was a model of modest nobility, and He walked among the poor, the sick, the downcast, and the heavy laden.

Though He was a king, He cared neither for the honors nor the riches of men. His life, His words, and His daily activities were monuments of simple yet profound dignity.

Jesus the Christ, who knew perfectly how to give, set for us the pattern for giving. To those whose hearts are heavy with loneliness and sorrow, He brings compassion and comfort. To those whose bodies and minds are afflicted with illness and suffering, He brings love and healing. To those whose souls are burdened with sin, He offers hope, forgiveness, and redemption.

If the Savior were among us today, we would find Him where He always was—ministering to the meek, the downcast, the humble, the distressed, and the poor in spirit. During this Christmas season and always, may we give to Him by loving as He loves. May we remember the humble dignity of His birth, gifts, and life. And may we, through simple acts of kindness, charity, and compassion, fill the world with the light of His love and healing power."

-President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints                                                                                   


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5 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 9, 2014 at 11:09 AM

    It is amazing to me the amount of Humility that Jesus had. Although he had created the Earth and stood at the right hand of the father, he never boasted of his nobility. He even had the humility to come to this Earth, received a body, and laid down his life all for each one of us. He did this out of love that he has for you and me. I know that Jesus will bring love and healing to those of us having bodies and minds which are afflicted with illness and suffering. I testify that through his Atonement we can receive the abundant blessings of heaven. Let us each do our part to use this gift He has given each one of us and share it with those we love.

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  2. MelissaDecember 10, 2014 at 12:42 PM

    We are expected to serve in quiet, simple ways. I am so thankful for our Savior's example of service and of true giving.

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  3. AimeeDecember 12, 2014 at 5:55 AM

    I am so humbled when I think of the Savior and what he has done for us. I also know that through the Atonement we can receive healing, peace, and hope. I would like to be a better follower of Christ by doing what he did and helping others to find Him.

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  4. Joshua FosterDecember 14, 2014 at 11:24 PM

    How grateful I am for the birth, life, mission, sacrifice, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christmas carols, gift-giving, and charitable acts are a reminder of the birth of that sinless One who unconditionally loves those He suffered for, regardless of their level of understanding or appreciation for, His sacrifice.

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  5. UnknownDecember 19, 2014 at 12:07 PM

    There is a quote I found on Pinterest the other day from Sister Marjorie Hinckley:
    “I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
    "I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
    "I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.
    "I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
    "I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
    "I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived.”

    If we want to become Christ-like, we need to act like Him. I want to become more giving and selfless, and less judgmental and materialistic. I want to become like Him.

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