Jesus Christ

Merry Christmas, one and all (and probably just one person will read this today--me, as I'm writing it. But no matter. It's my scripture study for the day and whether or not anyone else reads it is not important)! I hope you have enjoyed your holiday.

So I thought I'd ponder a few scriptures about the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ today.

I will start with what is in my mind the quintessential Nativity scripture (and not just because it's a well-known part of The Messiah oratorio):

Isaiah 9:6
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, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

I can find so much in just this one scripture. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:" his birth was for us. We are born into this world for our own progression, essentially we are born each for him or herself, but Christ was born for us. He was not born into this world simply to work out his own salvation, but to work out ours as well. From the beginning, Christ was a gift to the human family.

His role will be one of governance. He will show us how to conduct ourselves. He will direct us and give us the law and doctrine. Governments also care for their constituents, and Christ will do the same. He will succor us in time of need and provide for us.

Because of his work, we shall call him Wonderful. We are in awe of his miracles, his teachings, his example. We shall be indebted to him eternally for his greating atoning sacrifice.

He shall be our Counselor. We should look to him for counsel when we need it. He will help us improve ourselves and teach us how to be better people.

He is the Mighty God, creator with Heavenly Father of this earth we live on. The elements obey his word.

As Everlasting Father, his Sacrifice will be eternal and since he has redeemed us, essentially offering us new life, he shall be our Father, with God.

As Prince of Peace, he calms our fears and buoys us up in times of trouble--John 14:7


Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

This scripture caught my eye because it mentions "those that are with young." As a mother, it is very comforting to know that Christ leads me gently as I lead my own little (or big) sheep through life. Motherhood comes with very little instruction and one gets hardly any practice before jumping into it. I've had to rely on heavenly help often because I don't have a very good innate motherhood intuition. Sometimes I've been faced with challenging situations as a parent and have had NO idea how to proceed. The Lord has been there always when I have gone to Him with my problems. I've felt the comforting guidance of Jesus helping me with more emotions than I can handle and he's given me the peace of mind needed when life doesn't go as I would like. It is good to know that Jesus wants us to succeed in life, and he wants to care for us if we allow him to.

Mosiah 5:8
And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives.

Christ is the only way to eternal life and happiness. Through him, because of his Atonement, we may have salvation, provided we have taken upon us his name through baptism, and then we continue in obedience from then on.

I have a firm belief in Christ, in his mission and his Atonement. That belief motivates me to be obedient to the commandments given to us by Christ's prophets in scripture and through modern revelation. It also motivates me to try to improve myself so that I can help others, especially my family, come to know and love the Lord.

To me, that is Christmas.