Reflections of Christ

Yesterday after it had been raining our little family went to the Reflections of Christ exhibit. It was the perfect beginning to Thanksgiving. If it is coming to your town - I highly recommend taking your family to it.

We began with a short documentary about the inspiration for the photographs, and how they came about. It gave added depth to each photo we would view after.

The life of Jesus Christ is powerful. His humble beginnings, then rising to his divinity, and sacrificing himself for us, always brings me to tears.

I used to think, naively that when I had the chance to see him again I'd just want to run up to him and give him a huge hug. Several weeks ago my friend Candice spoke in sacrament meeting. She said that while we think of Christ as someone we can confide in, He is our Savior. He is glorious. So when we do get the chance to see Him again, we will probably not go in for a familiar hug, but fall at His feet, and worship Him.

So as I watched the video with my husband and my two darling daughters...I felt indebted to my God. As we were able to view the photos up close in the gallery area I couldn't help but feel the spirit of gratitude.

My favorite photo is the one of John the Baptist and Jesus embracing after John baptizes Jesus. The rapturous joy in both faces makes my heart leap. I also love the photo of the angels. That joy conveyed in their faces at the birth of the Son of God might have been ours as well... as my friend Carrie and I chatted afterward, that maybe we were one of those angels joyously welcoming our Savior, Lord and King. I loved watching in the video where they shoot the scene of Jesus walking on water. The shot of the feet anticipating the next step, the majesty of God, that all things bow to him...that imagery knocks me to my knees.

I also really liked that the photos of the baby Jesus focused on Joseph as the father. The photographer said he chose that focal point because so often Joseph is set in the background. In that time, in that societal structure, in pure natural man ego, Joseph overcame all of that. He overcame all that and also had to bear the weight of his calling as a husband and father. A father to the Son of God no less.

Then there are the crucifixion photos. That's when the tears flow for me. It's taken me my entire lifetime so far to know that God loves me just as I am... right now, in my current state. I am so grateful to know that I do have a loving Savior. That despite how people on earth treat me, that God loves me, knows who I really am, and will love me unconditionally...love me even though. I am so grateful that no matter what circumstance we grow up in we can look to God as our example, if a good one has not been given to us to follow. I am grateful for hope.

As we were walking around my four-year old, K, wanted to touch the pictures, she wants to hug everyone and everything she loves. There's this one large photo of Christ in white, bathed in white light. His back is too us, but his head is turned. You can see the hole in his right hand. I walked over to it and talked to my two-year old M.

Me: Who is that?
M: Jesus.
Me: Do you love Jesus?
M: Yes, I want Jesus to come with me.

Me: What about you K?
K: I want to be like Jesus.
Me: You do?
K: Yup, I want to be bigger than Jesus.

I am so grateful to my Savior. For His ability to love...real, not counterfeit. I am so grateful to my husband. He always offers patience and unconditional love as well. I am so blessed to be a mother to my beautiful, precocious daughters. I suppose I am their special test... sometimes I think they raise me better than anyone could.

I am grateful for this season, even in a time of economic belt-tightening...to reflect on Christ, to reflect on what is truly important, to find goodness and peace without increase.