I don't recall a time when Christmas did not fill my heart with magic and wonder. Halloween was fun, but what always made it most exciting for me was knowing that it meant Christmas was right around the corner! I am that mom who sneaks in a few Christmas songs here and there in October, to the chagrin of many I am sure. I can't help it! The childlike wonder and magic of Christmas continue to fill my heart and my love for Christmas only grows with each passing year.

When I was a child, a great portion of the magic of Christmas came from anticipating and receiving gifts. As I have grown older, this has slowly faded away and I have found the magic that lies in giving and in celebrating the birth and life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. What better way to remember Him, the man who gave everything, than to give to others.

As this Christmas season approached, I pondered and prayed for inspiration as to how I could make this Christmas more special and more focused on the Savior than ever before. As I thought about it, I had the thought that I should find as many opportunities as I possibly could to testify of Jesus Christ. And so, it is with a humble heart, that I share with you my simple and sure testimony of my Savior.

I know that Jesus Christ lives. He came to earth just as every other human who has ever lived - as a baby. He lived a life that was not free of trial or temptation, but, rather, was filled with trial and temptation. Because of His understanding of His divine purpose, His love for us, and His strong will to follow the Father, He was able to withstand these difficulties and lead a perfect life. I know that He suffered in Gethsemane and gave His life on the cross, for no one had the power to take His life. His sacrifice has changed my life, and will continue to change my life forever. Because of Him, I can change!

I know that God knows me. How do I know? Because He sent His son. For me. For you. For all of us.  

"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

I cannot claim that I fully understand the magnitude and the depth of such a sacrifice. But I can surely say that I understand it better now that I have children of my own than I ever  did before. Truly, it would take a love that transcends all things to be able to give your own child for the sake of a greater cause.

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ. And while it is increasingly unpopular to follow Jesus Christ, I know that I am not the only one who continues to worship Him. I know that if we all seek opportunities to testify of Him, maybe we can all make Christmas a little more special this year - for ourselves and for those around us.

Since I had my second child, it has been hard enough to find time to do everything that needs to get done, let alone write a blog. Now that I have finally taken the time to sit down and write this post, I am remembering why I love blogging so much. Even if not a single person reads this post, it is therapeutic and strengthening for me.

I recently started reading the New Testament again. I am not very far yet, but as I have read through the first few chapters of Matthew I have been struck by the many lessons to be learned from the miracles that Christ performed. The Savior was truly no respecter of persons. He loved and healed all who came unto Him, regardless of  their social status. He turned away none who came unto Him in faith and sought healing.

Many of the people who came to Jesus for healing were viewed with contempt, or even despised, by the Jews. No one else would dare touch a leper, for who would want to risk contracting such a terrible disease? A leper had to cry out and warn others as he/she approached so that people could flee from the presence of the unclean individual. In spite of the rules of society, the Savior was willing to touch a leper and heal him. He touched a man that no one else would. The significance of this story had never touched my heart before as it did when I read it this time. The Savior will turn away none who come unto Him for healing, no matter how unclean he/she may be.

The centurions were officers in the Roman army. Because they symbolized Roman leadership, they were not generally liked by the Jewish population. When a centurion asked the Lord to heal his servant, the Lord did not see a symbol of Jewish captivity to Roman government. He simply saw a man of great faith, and He worked according to that faith.

"...Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed...When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel." -Matthew 8:8, 10

 A woman who had suffered with an issue of blood for 12 years reached out to touch the Savior's garment in search of healing. In Jewish culture, anyone with an issue of blood was considered unclean, and thus socially rejected and denied the privilege of worshiping in the synagogue and temple. Rather than being repulsed when she touched Him, He responded lovingly and praised her faith.

Truly the Savior did not allow Himself to be bound by what society dictated as appropriate Rather, He lived according to a higher law. I think we can learn a lot from looking at who the Savior chose to spend His time with. He did not spend time with those who would make Him look good or help Him. He spent His time with those who needed Him. When we take a good look around, more often than not I believe that we will find many, many people who need us too. And, oh, how we need our Savior.

The individuals in these stories had been told by society that they were unworthy, unclean, and worthless. They were looked upon with contempt and rejected by many. It would have been so easy for them to allow the voices all around them to be louder than the Savior's plea to come unto Him. It would have been so easy to feel like they were not worthy to come unto the Son of God and ask for help. And yet, they did not allow this to stop them. They knew that Christ was the one with the power to make them whole. And so it is with us. No matter how unclean or unworthy we may feel, the Savior will not turn us away. Rather, He will praise the faith we exercise in coming unto Him for help. Are we not all miracles waiting to happen?

I am so thankful for the lessons that can be learned from the Savior's miracles. They have blessed my life by humbling my heart and making me want to improve. I want to serve my fellow men more readily and willingly. I want to come unto the Savior in faith and seek His help more often. I know He loves us and wants to help us. I want to be one of His miracles.