Keep Christ in Christmas--Jesus DID Come and He Will Come Again

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.  And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel:  Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  this is the same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.  Acts 1:9-11

  Sing a Christmas song:   Who is The Child?

He was born, he lived, he taught, he suffered, he accomplished the Atonement, he died, he resurrected, he ascended--
He LIVES!!

A dear friend of mine has the unique Nativity you see above in her living room.  It is the only one I've ever seen that incorporates the full scope of Jesus Christ's life on earth.  Today, the first things we shared with our Primary class for their lesson was a picture of the Nativity and a picture of Christ's Second Coming as he descends to earth in a cloud of glory, with angels all around and trumpets announcing he has returned to the earth.

We asked the children to tell us the signs that were there at Christ's birth and what signs we are to look for when he comes again.  It is quite a contrast.  He came quietly into the world, with just a few shepherds go see the wondrous event and worship the Christ Child.  He also left the world quietly when he ascended into heaven, with just his Apostles to witness the event.  When he comes again, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ.  The world will know he is here.

At Christmas we do our best to remember and celebrate our Mighty King, The Prince of Peace, and to let the world know that the Savior of the world was born.  It is becoming harder to get this message out as some misguided people force manger scenes and Christmas Carols, sung in joyous celebration of his birth, out of the holiday picture.

 It is going to be difficult for many people to recognize the signs that the world is now preparing for Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world to return once again.  So many will not even know of him.  That is why we cannot stand idly by gazing up searching for his return.  We have to be busy doing, serving, teaching the Gospel and testifying of what we know of Him.

Below are pictures of our ways of celebrating the Christmas season.

Our front door

Our back door with our Charlie Brown tree, which is a volunteer current bush with an evergreen branch standing in it.  I found the evergreen branch by my mother's grave after the big wind storm that blew many large trees down.  Another branch is used on the light by the front door.

Here are Christmas displays at a daughter's house.  She loves horses.  Here is her Native American Nativity (top shelf--closer view below).

My friend with the Nativity also has a fun display outside her home.

It was a beautiful day leaving Hill Air Force Base after Christmas shopping the other day.