Have you read The Christmas Scene by Neal A. Maxwell? It's a very small book written to explain the true majesty of the Christmas story-- the type of book that one could read every year and keep learning. I read it some time ago and for the first time really thought about the paradoxes of Christmas. For example, Jesus Christ, who is the creator of the earth-- who was the most intelligent, obedient, powerful spirit ever to be born-- came as a fragile infant in the most humble of circumstances.
Unfortunately I lost my copy, but I was reminded of it this week when I found this quote:
“God’s gifts, unlike seasonal
gifts, are eternal and unperishable,
constituting a continuing
Christmas which is never over!"
(Neal A. Maxwell, “The Christmas Scene,”
Bookcraft 1994, pp. 4)
Although the cakes, cookies, candy, and sweet breads will either be eaten or thrown away; although the toys will eventually break or be discarded; and although the new tech gadgets will eventually become obsolete, the atonement will never be used up, worn out, or stop helping us.
Because Christ willingly came to earth to be our Savior, we can have the greatest gift of all-- eternal life. The true purpose of Christmas never ends.
Because Christ willingly came to earth to be our Savior, we can have the greatest gift of all-- eternal life. The true purpose of Christmas never ends.
2 comments:
Now I want to find a copy of that book! My favorite Christmas quote is from Elder Maxwell, but I don't know the source-- perhaps it is from there. It says, "Each of us is an Innkeeper who decides if there is room enough for Jesus."
Also, if you love that one, Elder Holland also has a short Christmas book that I just read again this year. It's called, "Shepherds, Why this Jubilee?"
Amazon. One cent and 3.99 shipping. Sounds like a good one.
Post a Comment