A New Beginning

Well, Christmas has come and gone and the new year is approaching! I can hardly believe that a whole year has passed by since last Christmas. It's been a great year even though it went by way too fast. I'm grateful for all of the experiences that I've had this past year; I've learned and grown a lot.

When the year comes to a close, just as many, I reflect on how it went: what I did well and how I could do better. I also look forward to the next year to figure out how I can make it better than the last. I will be able to try new things and find new successes, while putting other things behind me and starting fresh. In Isaiah 43:18 it says "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old." With the new year we can put the past behind us, but this is something that doesn't have to happen just once a year. We can have a fresh start every week!

Once a week on Sunday we are able to partake of the sacrament. When we do so we are completing the repentance process and renewing our promises with God. With this important ordinance we are able to start fresh for the new week...every week! We don't have to wait an entire year for a new beginning  Oh how amazing and merciful the Lord our God. What incredible opportunities He gives us!

I testify it is through the Savior Jesus Christ we are able to be cleansed of our sins, and this by baptism, and when we take of the sacrament our sins are forgiven and our promises renewed once more. I invite all people everywhere who have made those sacred promises with God to renew them this very Sunday, and again and again after that, so that you may feel the joy of a new beginning.

What Does it All Mean?

We recently had a Zone Conference in our Mission. It's where several of the missionaries in the area gather together for a meeting. This conference was special for Christmas; our Mission President, his wife, and several others worked very hard to make it memorable. There was a lot of singing - Christmas songs, and there was a gift exchange for the Sisters as well as a tie exchange for the Elders. It was a fun day and I learned a lot from everyone who spoke, but there was one thing in particular that stood out to me...

President Allen, a member of the Mission Presidency, was one of those who addressed us. He spoke of the birth of Christ. In reference to this he asked us to ponder two questions. The first question was, "What does it all (the birth of Christ) mean?" The second, was "How does it effect me?"

Those questions hit me deeply and I've thought about it since then. I always knew Christ was important and we needed him, but what does it really mean? In Luke 2:11 it says, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord." We only have one Savior - Jesus Christ - who came to make a way for us to return back to live with our Heavenly Father which is something we can not do alone. "...he (Jesus Christ) descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;"*


How does it effect me? The Son of God came to this earth in very humble circumstances, he taught, healed, raised the dead, submitted to the will of his Father, and suffered more than anyone can ever understand. He did that because he loves me and he loves you. This act of pure love by my Savior should and does effect every aspect of my life. This time of year is full of distractions; travel, shopping, decorating, gifts, etc... all of these things can be good, but remembering the birth of Christ is often left out of that list. President Thomas S. Monson stated, "There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ."**



This Christmas season I'm going to refocus on Christ and truly reflect on what it really means. I would invite everyone to do the same and to remember Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer.







*Doctrine and Covenants 88:6
** "A Bright Shining Star," 2012 First Presidency Christmas Devotional, (Dec 5, 2010)