a christmas message

this time of year, it's so easy for me to lose sight of reality.  

with the stress of finals, and the many daily distractions that so easily claim my thoughts and energy, i need to remind myself what's really important in life:  

love.

in the end, our worth is not measured by grades, fitness, friends, or even happiness--although those are all great things.  

in the end what really matters is how much we love God and our fellow men.  and true love is more than just a feeling--it's a mindset, a lifestyle that requires the employment of our hands, heart, and mind.  and sometimes our material resources.

my aim is to be so full of love that there is no more room for extra negative, or even neutral, thoughts, emotions, desires, etc.

Jesus Christ embodies this perfect love.  His love for the Father and for us led Him to consummate the ultimate act of charity, in which He voluntarily suffered unbearable pain, bleeding from every pore, to atone for our sins, afterwards submitting Himself to mortal death (ironically by the hands of those for whom He'd just suffered).  He then rose again in a perfect, resurrected body, making it possible for us too, to regain our bodies after death.  

All as the natural, but no less difficult, result of His incredible love for us.

Because He loves us, our Savior did what was necessary for us to have the chance to be truly happy.

i, too, want to do what i can to make others happy.  though my love is nowhere near as perfect as Christ's... i'm trying.  and whatever love i'm lacking, He will make up for with His own.

if my imperfect words don't adequately convey the message i'm trying to get across, this video certainly will:

merry christmas to all.

peace