There Would Be No Christmas Without Easter

It has been such a blessing to teach our Institute class, and to be learning and teaching more about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Our lesson today was on the Resurrection, and as we prepared our room for our class today, Sister Oveson thought of a quote about Christmas.

"There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection."

"Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself—these are of the true essence of Christmas." (President Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas", Ensign December 2000)

 As we taught our class with 20 in attendance, we felt so blessed to learn and teach more about Christ. His Atonement and sacrifice have brought us so many blessings. We encourage all to think more of the Savior this season. Think of his birth, yes, but think more of His life and mission. Think of His Resurrection. Think that He has made it possible for us to be forgiven of our mistakes and to "Come Unto Him"!

We have given some of our grandchildren a challenge to read The Book of Mormon, and welcome any of you who are interested in this challenge. We challenged them to look for three things:

     1. Promised Blessings

     2. Warnings

     3. Why they wrote these scriptures