It got me thinking about a tradition that my family has had ever since before I can remember. Every Christmas Eve, we do a gift to Jesus. It's one of my favorite traditions that I fully intend on carrying on into my own family one day. We sit down as a family and think about a gift we want to give to Jesus - a goal or resolution of sorts. We then share them with each other one at a time, put our written down goal into a little frame and keep in by our beds throughout the entire year. Last year mine was, "as I'm fed, I'll feed them. As I learn, I'll teach. I will feed His sheep." These are some lyrics from Savior of the World - nothing says Christmas to me more than that show does. I can't imagine Christmas without participating in, or at least seeing it! I like to make my gifts to Jesus from the messages of that show because it has and always have a special place in my heart. While listening to the devotional, I was just flooded with awe that the Savior of the World died for me. Can you imagine? A babe born in a stable, destined to save all who ever lived - He saved me. I am forever completely indebted to Him. But as inadequate and undeserving as I am, I can still do something with the life He has given me. As I reflect on this past year, I think of opportunities I have had to share and to feed His sheep. He even gives me those!! Oh, heavens. He is far to kind to me. "Our lives are the gift of 'what happens next?'". So what happens next is me taking just another opportunity to make sure I share and maybe feed a few more sheep by testifying of Him. I know Jesus Christ lives. He rescues me and each of us in every way possible. He is the good in everything. He bore the burden of living a perfect life and still gave the glory to His father. Our father. I need Him always. Every minute of every day. I have learned in more personal ways than I ever have in the last several months that we are constantly under His wing - that He is in the details of our lives. The tiniest of details! His atonement covers every pain or heartache we could ever feel and He reaches out to us constantly. Constantly! His promises are real! I know Him. I know His kindness. I know His love. I have felt it and seen it and have been sustained and lifted and strengthened because of it. He loves us in a way that we can't even fully understand in this life. I know He lives. I know I will see Him in person one day. I so look forward to the day when I can fall at His feet, bathe them in my tears and say, "my Lord and my God."
He lives, my friends! He lives.
