The one on Christmas Eve

Bonjour à tous! How is everyone doing? I hope everyone is having a great Christmas eve today and have a good Christmas tomorrow. 

We have had a pretty good week here. We didn't have anything super special happen this week other than we did have two district councils because of christmas. Both of them were really good because we had a focus on christmas and Christ. Since it is Christmas eve today and not much happened this week I thought I would make this email a little different than the others and talk about the life of Christ!

Christmas is literally my favorite time of the year and favorite Holiday for many reasons. Lets start off by reading a few scriptures though.

In Luke chapter 2 we read, 1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all athe world should be btaxed. 2 (And this ataxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his aespoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the binn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you agood tidings of great bjoy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is aborn this day in the city of David a bSaviour, which is Christ the cLord. 12 And this shall be a asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth bpeace, good will toward men.

And in Matthew chapter 2 we read: 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found  him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11¶ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and afrankincense, and myrrh.

I love these two passages of the Child's birth. His birth was probably the greatest event to ever happen on earth and the shepherds and the wise men knew that. WIthout the birth of Christ, He could have never performed the atonement and died for our sins. Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and was exactly obedient to his Father's will and fulfilled his mission here on earth by sacrificing himself for us. That was the second greatest thing to ever happen because without that, we could not repent and be forgiven of our sins and return to live with God and our families again one day. It says that the shepherds came with haste after learning of His birth and the wise men searched diligently for Him as well because they knew of his greatness and everything he would accomplish. They all worshiped him and thanked God for His gift he had given us. God gave us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, and Jesus gave us the gift of the atonement. Both great gifts that show us their never ending love for each and every one of us! I am so eternally grateful for those gifts they gave us and during this Christmas season, I always try to emulate the spirit of the wise men and try giving a gift back to God and Jesus. We all give gifts to our family members but we should never forget our Father in Heaven and our elder Brother Jesus Christ. That might seem like a weird thing because we cant really give them physical things but we can do other things to show them we love them and are grateful for what they have given us. Like what it says in Mosiah 2:17 ...When you are in the service of your fellow being, you are only in the service of your God. I love being on a mission because I get to serve my God every day 24/7 by serving my fellow being here in Eastern Canada. It has been so much fun and I have learned so much and become so much closer to my Father in Heaven and my elder brother Jesus Christ. I want to challenge each and every one of you reading this (yes you) to think of a gift you can give to your God and saviour this Christmas season. It can be so many things. Serving a family member, helping a friend, improving something personal, doing something to get closer to Them, or really anything. I know that we will grow closer to God by giving him a gift and serving others and He will bless us for our efforts.

I love you all so much and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and have fun with whatever you are doing. Keep being awesome and remember the reason for the season and if you haven't seen the new video, The Christ Child, then go watch it!

Love ya,

Elder Beckstrand

Crescent Beach

 Food Bank

Elder and Sister Joanne Newsome. She used to work with my parents.

 A members house.

 Bridgewater in 1958