Thoughts on Christmas

"The celebration of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember Him and His gifts to us. And that remembrance creates a desire in us to give gifts to Him. He has told us what we could give Him to bring Him joy. First, we can, out of faith in Him, give a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We can repent and make sacred covenants with Him. . . . Second, you can give Him the gift of doing for others what He would do for them."
- President Uchtdorf -

"While it’s true that we can find materialism and anxiety in Christmas, it is also true that if we have eyes to see, we can experience the powerful message of the birth of the Son of God and feel the hope and peace He brings to the world."
- President Uchtdorf -
 

 "The more commercialized and busy the Christmas season becomes, the easier it is for the sublime message of the Savior’s life to get lost along the way. If we notice that planning for parties and scrambling for presents begin to detract from the peaceable message of Jesus Christ and distance us from the gospel He preached, let us take a step back, slow down a little, and reconsider what matters most."
- President Uchtdorf -

"The celebration of Christmas helps us keep our promise to always remember Him and His gifts to us. And that remembrance creates a desire in us to give gifts to Him. He has told us what we could give Him to bring Him joy. First, we can, out of faith in Him, give a broken heart and a contrite spirit. We can repent and make sacred covenants with Him. . . . Second, you can give Him the gift of doing for others what He would do for them."
- President Uchtdorf - 

 "While it’s true that we can find materialism and anxiety in Christmas, it is also true that if we have eyes to see, we can experience the powerful message of the birth of the Son of God and feel the hope and peace He brings to the world."
- President Uchtdorf -

"Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let this be a time of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally. Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of God and to obey His commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we ever could with lights, gifts, or parties."
- President Uchtdorf -

"This joyful season brings to all of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree to which we have turned our minds, feelings, and actions to the Savior, whose birth we celebrate."
- President Uchtdorf -

"Christmas is what we make of it. Despite all the distractions, we can see to it that Christ is at the center of our celebration. If we have not already done so, we can establish Christmas traditions for ourselves and for our families which will help us capture and keep the spirit of Christmas."
- President Monson - 

 

"Wise Men still seek Him."

Let us continue to seek Jesus Christ even after the Christmas season is through. (:

Lots of Love, Brianna

Your Happily Ever After

This past Sunday, one of my Laurel advisers gave a wonderful lesson that was centered around this talk, by President Uchtdorf. (He is my favorite!! :D)  This video captures the highlights:

 

This talk is incredible, and I know that it is, without a doubt, inspired for us as young women today.  If you haven't read it recently, I would strongly encourage you to do so. :)

 An amazing song, with the same title, by Jenny Phillips:

I want to testify that each and every one of these words are true.  I know that each of us have a "happily ever after" just waiting for us.  Along the way, however, we each will face temptation, trials, sadness, and heartache.  But these things are each just a part of the adversity we have to overcome in order to reach our "happily ever after".  Adversity will help us to learn and grow in ways that we never thought possible. And what is even more wonderful, is that the Lord is with us, every step of the way.

Never forget who you are.  A beautiful, courageous, and strong, daughter of a King. (:

With Love, Brianna