24 Days of Christmas - Day 6

Carol: I Believe in Christ, Hymn #134

Scripture: Jacob 7:11-12 Behold, I say unto you that none of the prophets have written nor prophesied, save they have spoken concerning this Christ. And it also has been made manifest unto me by the power of the Holy Ghost, wherefore, I know if there should be no atonement made, all mankind must be lost.

Talk: Excerpt from A Season for Gratitude by Gordon B. Hinckley

Jesus Christ was with His Father in the beginning. He was made flesh and dwelt among us, “and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, … full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

As many as received Him, to them He gave power to become the sons and daughters of God, “even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

He came as a gift of His Eternal Father. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

He condescended to leave His throne on high and come to earth to be born in a manger, in a conquered nation. He walked the dusty roads of Palestine, healing the sick, teaching the doctrine, blessing all who would accept Him.
He came “into the world [not] to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:17).

Not too long ago we walked where He walked, in Shepherd’s Field, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Cana, Galilee, Jerusalem, Gethsemane, Golgotha, the empty tomb. We sensed the majesty and the wonder of this man called Jesus.

He taught us the wondrous things of God. He opened the eyes of understanding to all who would listen. He was the fulfillment of the law, the sacrifice that would thereafter do away with every other sacrifice.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” On Calvary’s hill He gave His life for each of us. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Cor. 15:55).

We honor His birth. But without His death that birth would have been but one more birth. It was the redemption which He worked out in the Garden of Gethsemane and upon the cross of Calvary which made His gift immortal, universal, and everlasting. His was a great Atonement for the sins of all mankind. He was the resurrection and the life, “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Cor. 15:20). Because of Him all men will be raised from the grave.

But beyond this He taught us the way the truth, and the life. He gave the keys through which we may go on to immortality and eternal life.

We love Him. We honor Him. We thank Him. We worship Him. He has done for each of us and for all mankind that which none other could have done. God be thanked for the gift of His Beloved Son, our Savior, the Redeemer of the world, the Lamb without blemish who was offered as a sacrifice for all mankind.

He it was who directed the restoration of this, His work, in this the dispensation of the fulness of times. This is His Church which bears His holy name.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And Saints and angels sing.
(“Joy to the World,” Hymns, number 201)

Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful.

It is peace. It is the peace which comforts, which sustains, which blesses all who accept it.

It is faith. It is faith in God and His Eternal Son. It is faith in His wondrous ways and message. It is faith in Him as our Redeemer and our Lord.

We testify of His living reality. We testify of the divinity of His nature. In our times of grateful meditation, we acknowledge His priceless gift to us and pledge our love and faith.

This is what Christmas is really about.

Recipe: My Mom's Perfect Pumpkin Roll

3 eggs
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
2/3 c. pumpkin
3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
nuts (optional)

Beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar, lemon juice, and pumpkin. Mix well and add flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Line a cookie sheet with waxed paper. Pour mixture onto cookie sheet. Sprinkle nuts on the top, if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Sprinkle a dishtowel with powdered sugar and lay on top of warm pumpkin roll cake. Flip the pumpkin roll over out of pan and peel off waxed paper. Roll the towel and cake up while warm. Allow cake to cool. Unroll carefully, frost, and roll back up without towel. Slice up and serve.

Pumpkin Roll Frosting

1 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
8 oz. cream cheese
4 tsp. margarine

Soften cream cheese and margarine. Mix together. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.