My Testimony of Jesus Christ

I'm feeling the holiday season approach a little earlier this year. Maybe it's because I already heard 'Jingle Bell Rock' on the radio station. Or maybe it's because I've already been shopping for gifts and putting packages together, complete with red and green ribbons. Maybe it's because I've already bought the 2 dozen eggs I'll need for the pumpkin bread I'm going to make and give away. I'm excitedly anticipating getting out the Christmas decorations and I think I am set on actually doing some of that before Thanksgiving this year, which is way out of my normal 'Christmas season boundaries.'

One of the things that has caused me to think more about Christmas this year is planning how I am going to teach my daughter about Jesus Christ. I'm already anticipating the magical way that the Christmas season can bring us closer to the Savior if we allow it to.

So today, I want to share a simple testimony of the power of Jesus Christ. I say simple, but in fact there are many different facets to it, as the many different colors reflected altogether to produce a beautiful pure white to our eyes.

First and foremost, I know that He suffered and died for me, taking on the punishment for my sins so that the demands of justice would be met. Because He did this, I am able to be made clean through Him, a recipient of infinite mercy at his hands. I know that after three days, He was resurrected, and overcame death for all of us. I know I will be resurrected because of His power. I know that He lives. I know that He loves each one of us. I know that He wants us to come unto Him, to repent, to pray, to study His word and follow the example He set for us in how to treat our neighbor.

I also know what it is to wander through this life, feeling as though its purpose has eluded me. I know what it is to be beset on all sides by depression, negativity, heartache, loneliness and doubt. I know what it is to long for something more. To long for change. To long for happiness. To long for peace. Because of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I know what it is to feel a sure purpose, to be guided out of the depths of sorrow, and to receive the peace I have longed for.

My deepest knowledge of the Savior has come to me in quiet moments of prayer and study, or in the times I am able to listen to the words His Spirit speaks to my heart as I listen to the lessons I hear at church or the testimony of friends and family. It is in those moments, when it feels as though an arrow of emotion is piercing through my heart, that I have learned for myself that He lives. I have learned that He does have the power to lighten our burdens if we will but hand them over. I have learned that He will take anger and judgment away from our hearts if we will let Him in far enough to do so. I have learned that He will answer our prayers for others if we will have the faith to step back and patiently watch His hands at work. I have learned that He can speak peace to our hearts even in the midst of chaos all around. I have learned that He can truly turn our weaknesses into strengths. I have learned that through Him, we can press forward in this life, with a perfect brightness of hope for what the future contains. If we truly make it our goal to follow Him, our Good Shepherd will lead us safely home. That we may all draw ourselves closer to Jesus Christ our Savior this Christmas season is my prayer.