Our charity of understanding encompasses differences in love. Some religious personalities have even committed themselves to various gifts as missionary love. Their actions embody God’s mercy which brings about healing for themselves and others. These are their attempts to showcase the good news about the Gospels. Margaret D. Nadauld (b. 1944), Eleventh General President of the Young Women Organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, observes, “Our outward appearance is a reflection of what are on the inside. Our lives reflect that which we seek. And if with all our hearts we truly seek to know the savior and to be more like Him, we shall be, for He is our divine, eternal Brother.” Seeking to know Christ and truly accepting him as our divine gift, causes us to give him praise, and be thankful.

But there is much more to the story, according to Ellen G. White (1827 – 1915), prolific author and American Christian pioneer of The Seventh-day Adventist Church, who saw, “In the consequences our limited ideas of the sufferings of Christ, we place a low estimate upon the great work of the atonement. The glorious plan of man’s salvation was brought about through the infinite love of God the Father. In this divine plan is seen the most marvelous manifestation of the love of God to the fallen race.” It’s enlightening to know that God’s love doesn’t discriminate, reaches all men, women, and children. We live under his protection in loving him and our neighbors.

Real Christian Joy

Some may ask how can people find real Christian joy? Thomas S. Monson (b. 1927), religious leader, author, and sixteenth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, explains, “Finding the real joy of Christians come not in the hurrying and scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season.” This happiness is found during all seasons – not only at Christmas, but as we focus praise and thanksgiving, in worshiping Christ.

Our love for him may be revealed in our professions when we do volunteer work, through building bridges to the poor, and destitute. As God’s co-creators on earth, we bless, uplift those in need, and pay homage to his glorious cross. Noam Chromsky (b. 1928), American linguist, philosopher, and social political activist, thought, “Changes and progress very rarely are gifts from above. They come out of struggles from below.” A great deal depends on how people view their struggles. It is often best to offer them up to God as gifts in prayers. Soon, God’s wondrous love takes shape and new opportunities reveal themselves. Hard work is necessary, but Christians must place their dependence on God, who makes all things possible. It is a mistake to underestimate what he can truly do for us.

His Divine Gift

Our divine gift is marvelous and free. All we have to do is to seek God’s blessings as we pursue his will. Much of what we end up receiving is based on hard work. We do so through persistence, our beliefs, and by faith in a loving God – our Heavenly Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the Almighty One, who knows all things, and gives us the very best there is. That is, his divine love.