The angel who appeared to a group of shepherds in a field near Bethlehem brought a message of global significance. “I bring you good tidings of great joy,” he said, “which shall be to all people.” But he immediately made it personal: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11, italics added).
Whether the shepherds recognized it or not, these words mirrored a prophecy written by Isaiah about 700 years earlier: “Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, 2 Nephi 19:6, italics added).
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is both universal and personal. It is for you. It is for me. It is ubiquitous in scope, yet individual in application. We can each experience the peace Enos felt when his “guilt was swept away” and the joy that filled Alma’s soul when he pleaded for mercy. (See Enos 1:5-8, Alma 36:18-22). The Savior’s blessings are “extended to all people” (Alma 19:36), but we receive those blessings “one by one” (3 Nephi 11:13-18, 3 Nephi 17:21).
Today, I will be grateful that the Savior was born unto me. I will remember that He can help each of us overcome our unique challenges, struggles, and shortcomings.
Leave a Reply