Merry Christmas!

Alma 42

Mercy vs Justice. The Lord had a Plan – very meticulously thought out. Agency was a major part of that plan. When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit in the Garden of Eden, they were actually following that Plan which removed them from the Garden of Eden and into the world where they would suffer for their actions.

It is interesting to me that we, as parents, want to take that agency away from our children. I'm sure the Lord may have had similar feelings which is why the Atonement is a big part of the Plan. But first we must experience the consequences of our actions, see the error in our ways and repent sufficiently that the Atonement can take effect in our lives. Without beating it to death again this morning, can I say how truly grateful I am for this most divine Plan? I have a life that I could never have dreamed imaginable 34 years ago. My knowledge of the “Plan” was limited because I wasn't interested prior to the need for the Atonement.

And as I sit here this Christmas morning, my heart is full of gratitude for a Savior who came to earth in the most humble of circumstances – certainly more humble than anything I have experienced. He lived a life lonelier than I've ever been, suffering from mean people more than anything I've experienced. He was homeless, dependent on the goodness of others for all his needs. And yet he gave me the one thing I could never give myself. His gift allowed me a second chance – a chance to prove to Heavenly Father that I love him and will obey at all costs. I may be lonely, but I know the Savior is there to fill that loneliness when the time comes. I may suffer, but I know my suffering will never exceed the suffering my Savior endured for me. I can handle it with his help. I will (and do) suffer from the poor choices of others, and somehow, I find joy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that this too is part of the Plan and I can endure it.

Justice vs. Mercy. The Lord is ingenious! He provided a Plan. I'm grateful for it and I know I have only scratched the surface of its magnitude. Merry Christmas to anyone who felt the need to read this today. I pray for you that you will find peace in the Plan put in place eons ago by a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants us to return to Him. I pray for you that you will have the courage to do what it takes to be there on that glorious morning when our Savior returns. Merry Christmas!