He is Our Advocate — Christmas — Life Experienced with Terri Anne Flint

Of all the names of Jesus, Advocate, is my favorite. The word advocate has Latin roots, meaning “one who pleads for another.” I can see the Savior, standing by me, pleading for me with the Father, asking for understanding, justice, and mercy. His credentials to be my Advocate, were initiated in a stable and finalized on a cross. Oh, joy to my world for His life and His Atonement!

I know He lives and He loves me dearly. I know he understands me better than anyone else. He knows my sorrows, my weaknesses, and the desires of my heart. No one else on earth can help me become everything I can become. No one pleads with the Father on my behalf as He does.

These truths are the same for all. “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation” (2 Nephi 26:24).

Our best friend arrived in a humble manger, but He will come again in glory. (I can’t wait!) May you find special ways to celebrate Him this Christmas season and to remember the gifts He gives to us. Merry Christmas!

“On that holy Christmas night, an angel shared the good news, the good tidings of great joy. ‘He who was the greatest made Himself the least—the Heavenly Shepherd who became the Lamb.’ ‘The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger. In all our trials, born to be our friend.’ I believe the angel was saying, ‘Your friend, your best friend has just arrived. And if you knew how closely He has watched you, how much you looked to Him when you lived with Him before, if you understood what He is going to sacrifice for you and how much He will ever after be willing to do to help you return home, you would rush to greet Him at the manger.’”
– Sister Tamara W. Runia

“It is of great significance to me, that I may at any moment and in any circumstance approach through prayer the throne of grace, that my Heavenly Father will hear my petition, that my Advocate, him who did no sin, whose blood was shed, will plead my cause.”
–Elder D. Todd Christofferson