25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It is About Christ

Reason 25: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it is about Christ. Christ is my best friend. He's what gives me motivation to get up in the morning. He's the one that forgives me and makes it possible for me to return to my Father in Heaven. He's the one who always understands me. He's the one who makes it all worth it. He's the one that makes me happy. He's the one who helps me change. I love my Savior, and I love this time of the year that we have to celebrate Him. God be forever thanked for the gift of His Son.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Was About Love

Reason 24: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it was about love. It was about God loving us enough to send down His Son to live with us and to die for us. It was about Christ loving the Father and us enough to be willing to do it all. It's about us feeling that love now in our own lives and living better because of it.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: The Amazing People in the Story

Reason 23: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because of the amazing people in the story. Mary had faith that the Lord would take care of her and that the child she was having was from the Lord. Joseph had amazing humility and strength to take care of Mary even when their circumstances were frowned upon. Elizabeth trusted and believed in the Lord for years before she could have a child. The wise men sacrificed to traveled for years in search of the Christ. The shepherds were excited to go when they heard the call. All these people have traits that we should try to acquire in our own lives.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It is Happy

Reason 22: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it is happy. There is so much gloom and doom in this world. Too much. I love this time of the year because it eases away some of that. At this time, people focus on the Savior, and focusing on the Savior makes one happy. Yes--there is starvation and hatred and wars and broken families and heartaches and so much evil and badness abound, but focusing on the birth of the Savior will make you happy regardless. He was born to help us ease the burdens on our backs and to destroy the evils in the world. No matter how bad it gets, it can always get better because He was born. What could be happier?

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: Evidence of God's Trust in Us

Reason 21: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it shows that God is willing to trust even flawed humans. As wonderful as Joseph and Mary were, they were still imperfect. Yet, God still trusted them enough to send His son down to be raised by them. I doubt any of us will ever be entrusted with such an important task, but there still are many things that Heavenly Father must trust for ordinary people like you and I to do. The birth of the Savior shows that He's willing to trust us with these sacred tasks when we prove ourselves worthy. I'm grateful to know that, just like God believed in Mary and Joseph, that He believes in me.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: My Family can be Together Forever

Reason 20: I'm extremely grateful for the birth of the Savior because His coming into the world, His sacrifice, made it possible for my family to be together forever. There are no other people in the world that are as important to me as these six people, and only the family that I will someday have will equal in importance and personal value to them. I'm so grateful for the birth, life, sacrifice, and resurrection of the Savior so that I can be with my wonderful family for eternity. Because of Him, we can be together for forever. It is one of the greatest gifts that He will ever give me.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Was Simple

Reason 19: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it was simple. Often, we think we need to make things grand in order to make them monumental. Christ's birth, however, teaches that we don't need to do things on a huge scale in order for them to be important. It happened in a stable rather than a palace. Shepards were invited rather than princes and kings. Mary was a simple, ordinary girl rather than a women of power and influence. Joseph was a lowly carpenter  To the everyday Jewish man, the birth of the Savior appeared to have no more importance than that of their neighbor's. In fact, in many cases, the circumstances made it something people frowned at rather than rejoiced over. The Savior was born into plain, lower than ordinary, seemingly unimportant circumstances. If something as important as the birth of the Savior could occur in such a simple manner; then our weddings, birthdays, Relief Society activities, anniversaries,  vacations, and day-to-day doings can--and should--too. After all, it is by small and simple means that the Lord accomplishes His work, and He is the one that we should be trying to please. We need to stop enhancing the center pieces, bedazzling the wardrobe, adding more to the program, and one-uping the neighbor; it is the heart that He is concerned about.

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."  -Alma 37:6-7

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Put a Star in the Sky

Reason 18: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it put a star in the night sky to lead the way towards Him. The wise men aren't the only ones who are supposed to follow that star; we should too. Though it may not be a literal light in the sky, there are lights in our lives that we need to follow. The temples light up--they are places we should gravitate towards and visit frequently. Our homes should light up with laughter, joy, and love--this is a place we need to gather together at as well. And then the light of Christ within each of us is the light we need to follow in everything we do, for it is His light and it will lead us in His way. We are not meant to travel through this life guessing which way to go. The way is clearly defined, and we follow it when we follow the stars--the beacons of light--that surround us.

“Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”  -Matthew 2:9-10

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: It Brought Out the Angels

Reasons 17: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it brought out the angels. An angel appeared to Mary to tell her that she would bare the Savior of the world. An angel appeared unto Joseph to reassure him that Mary's baby was from God. And angels appeared unto the shepherds as they watched their fields at night, beckoning them to come and see the baby Christ. I know that there are angels around us today. They are guarding us and protecting us more than we realize. To me, Christ's birth is just one more evidence that they do exist, and that they concerned with the happenings of this earth.

"When the time for this Savior’s advent was at hand, an angel was sent to announce to Mary that she was to be the mother of the Son of God. Then a host of angels was commissioned to sing on the night the baby Jesus was born. Shortly thereafter an angel would announce to Joseph that the newborn baby was in danger and that this little family must flee to Egypt for safety. When it was safe to return, an angel conveyed that information to the family and the three returned to the land of their heritage. 

From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. Time in this setting does not allow even a cursory examination of the scriptures or our own latter-day history, which are so filled with accounts of angels ministering to those on earth, but it is rich doctrine and rich history indeed.

Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.

My beloved brothers and sisters, I testify of angels, both the heavenly and the mortal kind. In doing so I am testifying that God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.

May we all believe more readily in, and have more gratitude for, the Lord’s promise as contained in one of President Monson’s favorite scriptures: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, … my Spirit shall be in your [heart], and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.” Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps a Primary child, is crying, “Darkness … afraid … river … alone.” To this end I pray in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."  

-Elder Jeffery R. Holland ("The Ministry of Angels", October 2008 General Conference)

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He's Constant and Reliable

Reason 16: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He's constant and reliable. No matter who we are, where we are, or what we are doing; as long as we are trying to follow Him, He will be accessible. Though our circumstances may change, He never will, and we can always call upon Him in our time of need. The reason He came to the earth was so that He could give this to us--the gift of always being there for us, ready and willing and wanting to help. He was born for us, to be there always for us.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He is the Source of All Truth

Reason 15: I'm grateful for the Savior because He is the source of all truth. Today I read Moroni 8, wherein Mormon had to correct doctrine concerning the age of accountability and children, telling them that children are innocent and need not repent until after they are baptized at age 8. When I read this, I was reminded of a story that President Packer told in General Conference last April:

"Around the turn of the previous century, two missionaries were laboring in the mountains of the southern United States. One day, from a hilltop, they saw people gathering in a clearing far below. The missionaries did not often have many people to whom they might preach, so they made their way down to the clearing.

A little boy had drowned, and there was to be a funeral. His parents had sent for the minister to “say words” over their son. The missionaries stood back as the itinerant minister faced the grieving father and mother and began his sermon. If the parents expected to receive comfort from this man of the cloth, they would be disappointed.

He scolded them severely for not having had the little boy baptized. They had put it off because of one thing or another, and now it was too late. He told them very bluntly that their little boy had gone to hell. It was their fault. They were to blame for his endless torment.

After the sermon was over and the grave was covered, the elders approached the grieving parents. “We are servants of the Lord,” they told the mother, “and we have come with a message for you.” As the sobbing parents listened, the two elders read from the revelations and bore their testimony of the restoration of the keys for the redemption of both the living and the dead.

I have some sympathy for that preacher. He was doing the best he could with such light and knowledge as he had. But there is more that he should have been able to offer. There is the fullness of the gospel." (April 2012, "And a Little Child Shall Lead Them")

What I read in Moroni, along with this story, provide just one example of the truth that the fullness of the gospel provides. I'm so grateful that I belong to a church that teaches that little children are precious, clean, and pure until they reach the age of accountability (8) and are baptized. I'm so grateful that Christ was willing to come to the earth to restore truths like this one, and so many more. I'm so grateful for the comfort, love, and direction I get from receiving and following His truth. His way is the good and true way, and I intend to follow it.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the away, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."  --John 14:6

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Gives Us Life

Reason 14: Today I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He gives us life, not just once, but forever. The gospel gives us knowledge that, because the Savior died, we will live again. This earth life is just a time of testing. Death will come to all of us, but it will not be the end. We will see our loved ones again. We will exist beyond the short span of mortal years allotted to us. We will be resurrected and live again. After just thirty-three short years after His birth, Christ would end His earthly life. Yet, this was not the end for Him. Three days later, He rose from the tomb. He was the first to overcome death, and His triumph prepared the way for us to overcome death as well. I'm so grateful for the life that began in a stable on that peaceful night in Bethlehem, for it provided the gift of eternal life for us all.

“O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit.”  -2 Nephi 9:10

"The Resurrection from the dead is a most beautiful aspect of the Atonement and truly a part of the plan of happiness; the Resurrection is universal and applies to the entire human family. We will all be resurrected. I bear testimony of that fact and truth. This is an unconditional gift from God."  --Earl C. Tingey, The Great Plan of Happiness

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Understands

Reason 13: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior so that I have someone who can hold me and understand me when things get tough. Something that I often struggle with is feeling like people understand me. There are many people who respect me, I feel, but few who truly understand me. Christ, though, has always and will always understand me perfectly. And in those moments when I feel alone in the trials I face, I can take comfort in knowing that someone does understand me. And not only does He understand me when things get hard, He will also hold me. He never leaves us to ourselves when we face trials. We may leave Him, but He will never, ever leave us. He is there. He understands. He will hold you. And He will help you make it through.

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."  -John 14:18

"Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days. "  -D&C 24:8

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”  -Alma 7:11-12

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He is the Perfect King

Reason 12: After reading Ether 7-10 this morning, I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He is the perfect King. In Ether, their nation goes from righteousness to wickedness over and over again because the kings are corrupt. Christ, however, will only ever rule in righteousness. When He comes again to rule, His leadership will be absolutely flawless. He will be able to solve all the social problems our world faces today and will demolish all secret combinations and corruption. His will be a perfect, peaceful, happy world, a world I look forward to.

"We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him." --The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles 

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: Reason 11

Reason 11: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because He looks not on our outward appearances, but at our hearts. It is so easy to be quick to judge and label someone just by what they look like or a few words they say. Christ is the ultimate example of seeing people for who they truly are and who they can become. Race, nationality, hobbies, talents, profession, living circumstances, location, family, hair color--none of it stops Him from loving us just as much as He loves everyone else. He loves all people instantly and wants equally for everyone to return to the Father's presence. He is no respecter of persons. He is the Advocate, love, and support for all. Every. Single. One. Of. Us. Including you. 

". . . Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth Him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him." (Acts 10:34-35)

"But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: I Can Be Good

Reason 10: I was talking to Sarah Porter yesterday while we were running, and she pointed out that she was grateful for Christ because without Him, we couldn't be good. "Because of the Fall," she explained, "men lost the chance to ever be good by themselves. But with the Atonement, we are able to 'climb back up' to the goodness we were once at. Even more than that, we are able to become more good than we were ever before and one day, eventually, become like God." I too am thankful for Christ and His birth so that we have the chance to be good. I love being good; it makes me feel happy and at peace. I'm so grateful that He was willing to come into the world and sacrifice Himself for me so that I have that chance and potential and that goodness isn't lost.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the : It Brings People Together

Reason 9: I'm grateful for the birth of the Savior because it brings people together. Last night I got to go to an interfaith concert in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. People from all different denominations gathered together under one roof to share their musical talents and to testify of the birth of the Savior. I'm so glad we all had the chance to look past minor differences last night to realize that at the heart of what we all believe is that Christ was born and died for us, and that through Him we can live again. Christmas is about Christ, and Christ should always bring us together.

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Erases Fear

Reason 8: There is so much fear in the world today. Fear that the bills won't be paid. Fear that we will lose loved ones. Fear that life has no meaning. Fear that there is nothing after death. Because of the birth of the Savior, though, I do not have to fear these things. He came into the world to atone for us and to overcome death. Because He died and lives again, we can live again too. I live with the comfort of knowing that no matter what happens to me in this life, that things will eventually be okay because Christ has overcome the world. Because Christ lives, I have no need to fear. 

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  --John 16:33

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: He Will Never Let Us Down

Reason 7: The Savior came into the world to redeem the world. He did this by suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane--by atoning for our sins. As a part of this, He experienced every hard thing, heart break, and trial that we will have to go through in our lives. This isn't done as an overall "He experienced pain too, so He can understand what you feel like when you experience pain" deal. This is a "I have literally experienced exactly what you are going through at this very moment for you." The Savior understands our pains and afflictions perfectly. I am grateful for the birth of the Savior because He is the one person who will never let us down when we approach Him. If we go to Him, He will never leave us to struggle through our trials on our own. He is there for us.

"Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations of this Easter season is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you].”  -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, (None Were with Him, General Conference April 2009)

25 Reasons Why I'm Grateful for the Birth of the Savior: I Can Be Forgiven

Reason 6: I'm thankful for the birth of the Savior because He enacted the Atonement so that I can be forgiven of my sins. Sins are heavy; I'm grateful that I can be relieved of them because of His sacrifice. I don't have to walk through life with regret and disappointment for deeds that have past. Freedom. Cleanliness. New beginnings. Happiness. All of this is made possible only because Jesus Christ was willing to come to this earth to atone for our sins.

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."  -Isaiah 1:18