Christmas Testimony

Hi Elder, I hope you are doing well. I’ve got a favor to ask you. I’m supposed to teach a lesson to all the young women. Since you have a sister in there I thought it would be nice to include some of your thoughts. The topic for the month is missionary work, but I was also asked to make it a Christmas lesson. If you could share how teaching people about Christ ties in with the Christmas season. Maybe you can share special things that your mission does during Christmas time to share the gospel. And share your testimony. 

Thanks so much 

Love,

Heather Bott

I'd be glad to share a few thoughts. Christmas has come to mean much more to me now that I've been out here in the mission field. As a missionary I am not able to be with my family phisically during the holliday season. This has made me reflect on the real reason  we celebrate this great holliday. Over 2 thousand years ago a child was born in a manger in a small city far away. And although the event happened so long ago, to this day it is still the most celebrated event in history. Why?  It is because that child was no ordinary child with ordinary parents and an ordinary upbringing and mission. That child was Jesus Christ. This was the son of God, the King of Kings, the Holy One of Israel. His life might have been relatively short and only 3 years of his ministry are recorded in holy scripture, but it is what he chose to do in those 3 short years that made his birth the most celebrated event in the world. In the Bible we read of the miracles, the teachings, the love, example and wonderful acts of service that were done by Jesus. Not only did he heal the sick, give the blind their sight, raise the dead and calm seas, but he did something much more important than all of that. We read and have a hard time comprehending the suffering that he endured in the garden of Getsemeni and on the cross. Pain and suffering that caused blood to fall from every pore. Pain and suffering that would have killed any normal man. And he did so alone. Why? He did all of it for us. But it doesn't end there. After 3 days in the tumb he rose from the dead in a glorious resurrection.  Jesus Christ lived for us. He suffered and died for us. And rose again for us. As members of the church we know that we all fall short of salvation without these sacred acts. But because they happened, we have the opportunity to repent and to recieve forgiveness. Because of Christ we CAN be perfected, we CAN rise from the dead, and we CAN return to live with our Heavenly Father. This is our message to the world: That the child born in a manger over 2 thousand years ago, even Jesus Christ, LIVES. He came to the earth to save us from our sins if and only if we have Faith in him, Repent of our sins, are Baptized, Recieve the Holy Ghost, and Endure to the end. A stagnent faith doesn't work. We go from Family to Family bringing this message of hope and helping them activate their faith. Invite, serve, teach, and be an example this Christmas season. Light the World with the message of the restored Gospel and of Jesus Christ our Lord. 

I know that Christ lives and directs this church. The restoration continues and we are part of the most important work of all, saving souls. I know and Testify that God loves each and every one of us as his children, that the Atonement of Christ has a personal effect in each of us and that Russel M. Nelson is a prophet of God. 

I hope that we can all find new ways to serve and to be a light to all those that surround us this Christmas. 

Les Quiero mucho! 

Elder Hoyt