CHRISTmas

If we are being honest here, I did not feel very Christmasy this year. Christmas is my favorite holiday, but this year just felt different for some reason.

This year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints published a video called “A Savior Is Born”. The video shares the story of Christ’s birth. Each year, the Church publishes a new video, and each year I cry. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has done and continues to do so much for each of us, and I frequently forget all that He does for me.

So, in order to remember the real reason for this holiday, here is a list of 25 things Christ has given to me.

Gifts from Christ:

1.       The Gospel

Honestly, I have no idea where I would be without this gospel in my life. This gospel has helped me learn who I am, who I can be, and who I want to be. This gospel has given me friends, family, and so much joy.

2.       My Family

Because of Christ, I am able to be with my family for eternity. Yes, sometimes they drive me bonkers, and yes, we are a little bit crazy, but I love my family so much. It is only because of my Savior that I am able to have such wonderful people in my life.

3.       Love

Christ’s love means more to me than almost anything. His love has helped me through some of my darkest times, and has helped those around me. I remember one time, on my mission my companion and I were walking around, trying to find some people. We saw this woman on the street who looked completely distraught. We went up to her, saying who we were, and asked if there was anything we could do. She said we could pray for her. So, being missionaries and being prompted by the Holy Ghost, we said a prayer with her right there, and I know through that prayer, she felt of Christ’s love for her.

4.       The Holy Ghost

Honestly, I would probably be lost in some remote place on the earth if it weren’t for the Spirit. I LOVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. It is through the promptings of this gift that I make decisions in my life, even small ones. This gift helps me stay on the path Heavenly Father has for me.

5.       Forgiveness

Guys, I screw up all the time. People like to say things to others like, “You’re so perfect!” But none of us is. We all make mistakes and suck, but Christ forgives us of our mistakes. It is through his forgiveness that we can have true and everlasting happiness in our lives.

6.       Strength

The strength we can all receive through the atonement of Jesus Christ is absolutely wonderful. Whether we are going through trials that are physical or emotional, He can provide us the strength to endure those trials, and endure them well.

7.       My Home

Where would we even be without Christ? We would not have this wonderful world to live on. I am so grateful for this earth and where I live, my home. It is a place for me to draw closer to Christ.

8.       Desire to Learn

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ definitely provided me with a desire to learn. This desire has led me to experience more compassion towards others, and after learning of certain cultures, a deeper understanding of them grows.

9.       Modern Technology

Okay, so, this one may seem random, but I love the gift of modern technology. I have no sense of direction, and rely on a GPS to get me nearly everywhere. If I were born in a time without a GPS, or social media to keep up to date with friends and family, I would not survive.

10.   Good Food

I love baking and cooking and just being in the kitchen. One of the gifts Christ has given me is the talent of cooking and living in a day and age where there is so much variety among food, and I am very grateful for that.

11.   Service from Others

For those of you who know me, I love serving others, and am absolutely awful at accepting service. Yes, I am hypocritical. We all are. But, I really do appreciate it when others serve me. It lets me know that they care about me, and also that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know what is going on in my life.

12.   Prayer

I have no clue what I would do in my life if I couldn’t pray to my Savior. Prayers is our way to talk with Jesus Christ and our Father in Heaven, and we all need that. There have been times where my prayers are of pure gratitude, some when I need guidance, and sometimes, honestly, I let out some of my anger and misunderstandings. Prayer is there for us to communicate with them, and it is such a wonderful gift.

13.   The Ability to Laugh

I am a weird person, and sometimes, I can be excruciatingly awkward. But, thanks to Christ, I have the ability to laugh at myself. Honestly, I think I am so funny and most of the time it is because I am so stupid.

14.   Agency

Christ gave each of us agency to be able to make our own decisions. What would happen if we wanted to go right but someone else made us go left? Without this ability to make decisions, we would never be able to learn and progress.

15.   Light

Christ gave us each the gift of light in many different senses: physical light, like sunlight, stars, and a lightbulb. However, He also gave us an internal light, and emotional one I sometimes think of it, to guide us and help us without choices. This light reminds us to do good and to be as Christlike as we can be on this beautiful earth.

16.   Wanderlust

Christ gave me the desire to explore the world. This desire helps me learn of other cultures and appreciate the world even more.

17.   Religious Freedom

Christ has given us the wonderful opportunity to have religious freedom, to worship whom we want without fear of persecution. I am grateful for this gift from Christ, for the ability I have to worship Him freely and openly, and for the opportunity others have to worship whom they choose to worship without being discriminated against.

18.   Comfort

Christ comforts each of us through all we go through, as long as we are willing to let Him

19.   Music

Sometimes, music can do more to help than anything else can. Christ has given each of us this gift, and I know that music has been an anchor and guidance in my life through difficult times.

20.   Curiosity

Along with my desire to learn, Christ has given me curiosity. I do sometimes question parts of my life, but because of this curiosity, I am able to learn more of who Christ is in my own life. This questioning leads to a deeper understanding of what I am questioning, and has definitely helped strengthen my testimony.

21.   The Scriptures

Guys, the scriptures are SO AMAZING. They truly are the words of Christ here on the earth today, for each of us to read. The scriptures are gifts from the Lord, guidance for our days, help when we need it, and answers for our prayers.

22.   Trials

Where would we all be without trials or afflictions? These hardships may suck at the time, trust me, I get it, but these trials also help us learn and grow and become more like our Father in Heaven.

23.   The Temple

I love the temple so much. It is the Lord’s house; it is a refuge and a strength. There have been times when I have felt lost, unsure, or scared, and I went to the temple and there receive answers, guidance, comfort, and confidence to go and do what the Lord and the Savior needed me to do.

24.   The Atonement

The Atonement gives us everything. Without it, we could be nothing, do nothing. Because of the Atonement, we can be forgiven, receive strength, gain understanding, and once again be born and live with our Father and Savior for eternity. Christ’s Atonement is one of the greatest gifts of all.

25.   His Example

Christ is out example, or should be our example in all that we do. He is the ultimate example of a sibling, a son or daughter, a friend, a teacher, and a learner. When we live our lives as Christ lived His, we will experience kindness and everlasting joy.

Honestly, all we have are given to us through Christ. I invite everyone to remember why it is we have these gifts, and to find ways to try to give back to our Savior.

XOXO,

Sydney