Alma 33 & 34

Jesus Christ is our salvation. As we pray, and seek Him in our lives, the atonement can become real in our lives. He stands as an advocate on our behalf. In order to allow Him to be our advocate, we must choose to use the atonement, and by so doing we obtain the mercy we desire.

Alma 34: 9 states, "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made; or else all mankind must unavoidably perish..."

Alma 34:15, &16 states, "And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety..."

This life is our time to prepare to meet God. Through Jesus Christ, we can become clean.  As we seek Christ, and as we practice faith unto repentance, we allow the atonement to cleanse us from our sins. It is only through the atonement of Christ that we can be saved. For no "unclean" clean can enter into God's presence. Because our Father loves us so much, He provided a way for us to return. He wants us to succeed. He desires our return; however, we must choose our path. We must use our agency to acquire this great gift that has been offered.

We are in the Christmas Season, and the Church has launched a campaign proclaiming that Christ is the gift of Christmas. I have a testimony of this. Jesus Christ died for us. He suffered in Gethsemane providing for me a means to repentance. He died on the cross breaking the bands of death, and allowing me to live again in my Heavenly Home. Without this truth, I do not believe we would celebrate Christmas. Without Easter, there would be no Christmas. But because Christ did what He did, the true gift of Christmas is Him. The atonement is the greatest gift ever given.

It is my hope that I can remember the true meaning of Christmas. The reason for the season.