In Whom I Am Well Pleased

Yesterday while a group of us were discussing our plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas, a colleague of mine said, "The best part of Christmas is the presents."  Earlier that morning, I had just finished reading, The Life of Our Lord by Charles Dickens.  One of my favorite parts of the book was, "and His name will be Jesus Christ; and people will put that name in their prayers, because they will know God loves it, and will know that they should love it too." 

My colleague's statement reminded me of a time when things were especially rough.  As I was feeling the different pieces of my life falling apart, I had decided to "count my blessings."  While my blessings were still many, I realized that at the rate things were going, the potential to be left "blessing-less" was always a possibility, and somehow I would still need to find hope and joy in life.  This realization did not diminish my gratitude for my blessings, but I shifted my focus from the "presents" in my life to the one immutable gift God has given to me and to each of His children: the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.

This morning I read from the book of Matthew, in the Bible, chapter 3 verse 17 as God the Father introduced Jesus Christ: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (emphasis added)  I thought about how beautiful it feels to know one of my parents is pleased with me.  I thought about the confidence I gain knowing that my Heavenly Father, of all persons and beings, is pleased with me.  What a gift the Father gave to His Son in that declaration!  God loves Him and we should love Him too.

As we approach the holiday season, first Thanksgiving, and then Christmas, I am filled with gratitude for my Savior, Jesus Christ.  Whether I am down in the dumps or on top of the world, the gift of the Atonement--Christ's sacrifice for our sins, our trials, our sorrows, our struggles, our pride, and every other challenge we face--is always there.  It cannot be removed.  It is infinite and eternal.  It lifts me and grounds me at the same time.  Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift, for which I give thanks, and the best part of Christmas.