{my thoughts on the season}

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

No, REALLY! There is just something about the snow, the lights, the music, that makes me HAPPY! Lucky for me, my husband is even more of a fan of this season than I am. He celebrates his birthday December 9th, so growing up his family would always go pick out their Christmas tree on his birthday. How could he not love it!!


As my children are getting older, I've been trying to figure out how to make this season truly meaningful for them, and for the right reasons. A few weeks ago I had an "ah-hah" moment with my 5 year old while at Costco and I was overcome with the true Christmas spirit and was crying because it made me feel so good. That's right...crying, in the middle of Costco. If you saw me, thanks for not making it more awkward than it already was! (Don't worry, there is plenty more crying in this story!) Since then I have had several great teaching opportunities to help my kids understand what Christmas is all about.


About 2 months ago Marcus and I decided to set a goal to help us be more consistent with our family scripture study. We decided to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year, which meant we would have to read a chapter a day and 4 on the weekends. A LOT more than we had been asking our 3 small children to listen to previously. But we talked about it as a family and made a chart to mark off each day and got excited to accomplish our goal. The last two months have been the best months I've had in a long time and the kids have been amazing. I'm surprised every day when they can sit and listen to a lot of scripture reading that is hard for them to even understand. And they notice if we haven't put an X on our calendar each day (that is their favorite part!) Anyway, a few weeks ago we started 3 Nephi and talked about how Christ would be coming soon to the Americas. Perfect timing I would say as we were getting ready to decorate for Christmas!

This morning we read 3 Nephi 17 and I cried the whole way through.

"And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them. And he said unto them: Behold, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any that are sick among you? Bring them hither. Have ye any that are lame, or blind, or halt, or maimed, or leprous, or that are withered, or that are deaf, or that are afflicted in any manner? Bring them hither and I will heal them, for I have compassion upon you; my bowels are filled with mercy."


"And it came to pass that Jesus spake unto them, and bade them arise. And they arose from the earth, and he said unto them: Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full. And when he has said these words, he wept, and they multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when he had done this he wept again; And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones."

After reading that I knew this was going to be the year that the true spirit of Christmas really came together for our family. My boys have been so interested in the stories of Jesus and ask young, innocent questions as we talk about Him. As we read our scriptures every day, it makes it easy to talk about Jesus and make him a part of our daily routine, just the thing I was looking for this holiday season.

Yesterday we had a great day at home, watching the snow fall after church, staying warm with lots of blankets and Thanksgiving pie to top it off. The kids love to turn off every light in the house and then sit around the tree and sing! They must get that from me! We talked more about Christmas, read our scriptures and then another one of our favorite books "I Believe in Santa Claus". It shows many comparisons between Santa and Jesus Christ, and this is the best way for our family to know about Santa. That he is a kind, loving and giving person, an important symbol of Christmas, and the symbols of Christmas remind us of Christ.

I am so excited to continue the traditions we've already started and to start new ones to help our children catch the true spirit of the season. I have many favorite things about this time of year, but now my most favorite thing is to watch my children's eyes light up with joy when they put their ornaments on the tree, help make gifts for their friends, and sing Christmas songs in the car. That is the only thing I want for Christmas, to see them soak up all the magic that comes with the celebrating of that holy night...