...of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! -Romans 10:15
Following the footsteps of Victor & Janell Moxley and publishing peace, good tidings, and salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord.
I wish the merriest of Christmases to everyone following my blog. I hope that something in my blog has brightened your season and brought you closer to Christ. I’d love to hear what it was, and hope that as you are spending this wonderful day with family and friends. Please be sure to click the button to the left for a Christmas card to you. May your thoughts be centered on the hope that is in Jesus Christ.
Želim najbolj vesel božič vsem ki berejo moj blog. Upam da nekaj v tem blogu vam je osrečil božič in vas pripeljal Kristusu bliže. Jaz bi rad slišal to kar je bil. Prosim da tiskate gumb na levici za božično kartico vam. Naj bo vam misel osredotočena na Jezusa Kristusa.
This is a great video I've had the opportunity to watch today as further personal study into the events surrounding Christ's birth. In this video, Brigham Young University scholars of ancient scripture discuss
A wonderful thing about this video is how they compare the information we have from the multiple accounts in Biblical sources and other sources available through modern revelation, like the Book of Mormon.
They also discuss external historical information that makes it easier to follow some of those events. Beyond that, I enjoyed seeing many of the historical sites that were involved in Christ's birth and childhood.
Every year, my family carefully unwraps several porcelain figurines which combine to display the crowd of shepherds and animals gathered around to see the newly born Jesus with his mother mother Mary, and adoptive father Joseph. Yesterday evening, Elder Meza unwrapped the second of a set that his friends at home sent him.
This morning I was pondering the humble circumstances surrounding Christ's birth. In the past several Christmases I've seen many beautiful nativity scenes which capture the details of the event rather simply and accurately. Other's become much more distracted by commercialism, or hopefully are just drawing Christ's glory into the physical portrayal of the event, and display a comfortable royal splendor which was very unlikely present at when Jesus Christ was born.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. [Luke 2:7]
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat (foods of the poor), that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. [Isaiah 7:14-15]
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. [Luke 2:15-16]
The Savior of the world was born amid the lowly setting of a manger, or stall of a barn. Despite his royal lineage, he was raised by are carpenter.
Many may not consider this to be among the typical Christmas songs, however it is rather fitting for the focus we're trying to capture for our Christmas season. Christ's birth and glory give a striking contrast which we should be slow to forget.
On Mormon.org chat, I now regularly get asked, "Don't you Mormon's know Jesus probably wasn't even born in December?!" I'm quite pleased in being able to answer, "Of course we know that, in fact, we know he was born on April 6."
President Harold B Lee, the 11th modern prophet, said, “This is the annual conference of the Church. April 6, 1973, is a particularly significant date because it commemorates not only the anniversary of the organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in this dispensation, but also the anniversary of the birth of the Savior, our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. [Quoted D&C 20:1]” ( CR, Apr. 1973, p. 4.) Even Mormon scriptures and prophets make it clear that Jesus wasn't born in December.
This of course doesn't get in the way of celebrating Christ's birth in what would otherwise be a dreary season. The darkest months of the year are a time when we certainly need some light. There is no better way to light up a dreary season, than to remember Jesus Christ, for "Christ shall give thee light." [Eph 5:14]
As President Lee demonstrated, we don't fail to commemorate Christ's actual birthday either. Who deserves two birthday parties a year more than the Savior of the world?
As Christmas approaches, I began to ponder and compare this short time before Christmas, to the thousands of years before the first and true Christmas nativity. Since Christmas being such an important time of year in most of our lives, I wondered how the spirit of Christmas might have been experienced before the actual advent.
From the scriptures, like the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon, I was able to gather some of details Before Christ's birth in early April at the turn of the era, at least some of God's righteous children, had access to many of the details of the events of the nativity that we share with our families now.
This coloring page, which I did color myself, shows a sight seen by prophets long before it took place.
As you read these verses, which were each originally written almost 600 years or more before Christ's birth, compare what you know about Christ's birth, to these details here.
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14
And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word. 3 Nephi 1:21
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms. 1 Nephi 11:20.
And after the Messiah shall come there shall be signs given unto my people of his birth, and also of his death and resurrection... 2 Nephi 26:3
I wish the merriest of Christmases to everyone following my blog. I hope that something in my blog has brightened your season and brought you closer to Christ. I’d love to hear what it was, and hope that as you are spending this wonderful day with family and friends. Please be sure to click the button to the left for a Christmas card to you. May your thoughts be centered on the hope that is in Jesus Christ.
