Resurrection by Liz Lemon Swindle
Today we read:
John 20:1-18
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the anapkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
11 ¶ But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,
12 And seeth two aangels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.
14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and asaw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, aMaster.
He is Risen by Greg Olsen
I love Mary Magdalene's story. I love that she came when it was still dark, technically breaking the Sabbath. I love that she couldn't stay away. Having lost loved ones, I doubt that she slept that night. I love that she ran to the disciples. I love that when they left, she stayed and my heart breaks for her heartache. I love that Christ came to her first. I love that he calls her Mary. I always wonder if more was said between them or if just seeing him was enough.
The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles
© 2000 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America.
English approval: 12/99. 36299
English approval: 12/99. 36299
As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.
He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38),yet was d espised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.
He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.
We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.
He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).
Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:
“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).
Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).
We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).
We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.
I love the get up early and turn on all the Christmas lights and wake the family with hymns of the resurrection, turned way up. Today is a beautiful celebration! I like to read the "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles" and talk about it. One of these years, I would like to write a family testimony that we could all sign.
We talk about Christ. Does his image show in our countenance? How can we have the light of Christ shine in our eyes? When people see us, do they see him? We almost always read the following story and talk about it.
The Gift
One cold Christmas Eve day, a little boy about six or seven was standing out in front of a store window. The little child had no shoes and his clothes were mere rags.
A young woman passing by saw the little boy and could read the longing in his pale blue eyes. She took the Child by the hand and led him into the store. There she bought him some new shoes and a complete suit of warm clothing.
They came back out into the street and the woman said, "Now you go home and have a Merry Christmas." The boy looked up at her and asked, " Are you Jesus' Momma?" She smiled at him and replied, "No, son, I'm just one of His children." The little boy then said, "I knew you had to be some relation."
Sometime today, we pack away the old "dead" Christmas tree and look for living ways to honor Christ.
Red Envelope today - I put Ryan's Christmas letter in a Red Envelope. Today we had our Christmas. I still have to power to surprise him with the perfect gift.
1 comment:
I am so glad that you are having Christmas with Ryan today. I almost called and then remembered that you were celebrating this morning. I am so happy you were able to surprise him!
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