Monday, December 25, 2006

Christmas Reflections

At this joyous time of year when we celebrate the birth of our loving Savior, Master and Redeemer, not only do we find joy in remembering Him, in giving, and in serving, but also in reflection and in resolution.

It has been sweet to quietly reflect in Sundance this week on the true joys of life –

-Testimony and faith
-Lauren, our children and their eternal companions, grandchildren, parents, brothers and extended family
-Health and Capacity
-Opportunities in all things
-Knowledge and Education
-Personal Friendships and Relationships
-Perspective
-Time to experience life together

As it has been said, the most important and cherished things in life are not things at all! In fact the joy in all things is manifest only because of His atoning love for each of us. Grateful we are that He is our Friend.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friendsbut I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you…” John 15:13-16

What more can be said than that, that He has chosen us as His friends, and that He loves us. As wonderful and majestic as His birth is, what eternal joy there is in His life and in His love.

May each of you have a wonderful Christmas season, always! And, may each of us continue to express our gratitude for the joys of life, not only in our verbal expressions of thanks, but in how we live, in our resolve to live better daily, to love as He has loved us and to truly be His disciples.