Area Leadership Message
The Greatest and Most Precious Gift
Each year as we celebrate Christmas, we start thinking about gifts. Some look with joyful anticipation to what they can give and how they may be able to surprise someone. For others, this annual tradition fits more in the category of a stressful exercise. In our family, my wife has the joy of giving in her DNA, while I am the one who usually has a hard time finding something that is meaningful and valuable. I have pondered why this may be. Although there are many contributing factors including different personalities and preferences, I offer you one indicator that could help all of us to understand when a gift is meaningful for both the giver and the receiver.
The Savior taught: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
“Ye are my friends”1.
John wrote: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”2
We know that the greatest and most precious gift ever was the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ given by both the Father and the Son. Because of their gift, death has no sting and the grave has no victory3. Because of Christ’s Atonement, redemption, eternal salvation, and exaltation are available for all mankind—even as many as will.4
We are attracted by these gifts because of their everlasting personal value. Yet knowing that they were given out of genuine, divine love is beyond all possible imagination. Think about this: The Savior loves you so much that He truly gave His own life for you. Your Heavenly Father loves you so much that He willingly gave His Only Begotten Son for you. As we begin to comprehend these powerful truths, that same love will fill our hearts so that with deep gratitude we will want to sing:
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered and bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!5
Knowing how inconsiderate, rebellious, and proud I can be at times, it amazes me that God nevertheless extends such mercy, love, and devotion unto me. How can I therefore show my gratitude unto Him?
First of all, let us consciously receive the gift: “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.”6 We receive the gift and embrace the giver by showing our gratitude through joy and love. “Love one another, as I have loved you,”7 the Savior commanded; and “If you love me, keep my commandments.”8
Secondly, let us learn from our Savior. Our joy for His incomprehensible gift will multiply as we share it with love and compassion. When we minister to others, we are indeed sharing the message of Christ, who said: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”9
It is my prayer during this Christmas season that we will pray with real intent for the Lord to send us opportunities in the coming weeks and months to love more, to share more, and to invite more of our brothers and sisters to receive the greatest and most precious gift of our Savior. His gift will truly fill us with exceedingly great joy, for it is desirable, to make us happy.10