As we prepare for Christmas this month, a fun tradition we have in my family is recounting the meaning of the different symbols of Christmas. For an object lesson, you could collect the Christmas items and/or pictures and display them to your family using the following outline:
Tree: Christmas trees are evergreen trees. They do not die in the winter, but stay green all year through. This is a symbol of eternal life. Christ has made it possible for us to live in heaven after we die. Scripture: Moses 1:39 Picture: Resurrected Christ.
Lights (small stars) and Star: We often use lights, candles, and stars in our Christmas decorations. These represent the new star that appeared when Christ was born. Scripture: Matthew 2: 9-10. Picture: Nativity Scene (star in background)
Candy Canes: This candy is made in the shape of a shepherd's staff. The shepherds came to see baby Jesus. Christ is known as the good shepherd. Scriptures: Luke 2:8-9; John 10:11. Pictures: The Shepherds, Christ and the Lost Lamb
Angels: Angels announced Christ's birth to the shepherds. Scripture: Luke 2: 10-11 Picture: The Shepherds
Red, White, and Green Ornaments: Christmas colors are symbols of Jesus Christ. Red represents the blood of Christ. Green represents eternal life. White represents the purity of Christ (he was perfect). Scriptures: Luke 22:44; 3 Nephi 12:48. Picture: Christ in Gethsemane
Gifts (to put under the tree): Gifts represent the gifts the wise men brought to the Christ child and the gift of the Savior that Heavenly Father gave the world. Scriptures: Matthew 2:1, 11; John 3:16. Pictures: Wise Men, Jesus the Christ.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."
John 3:16
Well, it's that time of year again. Finals are over (woot woot!) and it's time to prepare for the holidays. The stores are stacked with candy canes and Christmas tree ornaments. The streets are lined with snow and twinkly lights. Christmas carols are playing on the radio and gifts are being exchanged. It feels a little like magic here in Cedar City. Yet despite the commercialization of Christmas that seems to worsen with each passing year, I still feel a child-like wonder at the sights and smells and sounds. I feel a calmness as I think of the fast-approaching Christmas day. I am grateful for this time we all have to reflect on the birth of our Savior.
One of my favorite Christmas songs of all time is "O Holy Night," and Celine Dion happens to sing it exceptionally well (quite frankly what DOESN'T she happen to sing exceptionally well?) but I wanted to share it with you and hopefully you will feel the gratitude and awe for this season that I feel every time this song is played!
Speaking of Christ, in the midst of finals week our single's ward had a Christ-centered Christmas party to give us a welcome break from studying. Since I am the Relief Society President, I was in charge of the decorations. I took my presidency and some other sisters in our ward shopping for centerpieces, which turned out just darling!
The Garden House catered a delicious meal of various soups in bread bowls, a green salad, and cookies. After dinner, we watched the Nativity story and pulled our chairs into a big circle to share traditions we have for keeping Christ as the focus of the holiday season. Here are some ideas that were shared:
Host a birthday party
Bake a birthday cake for Jesus and sing "Happy Birthday" to Him
Write a list of gifts you can give the Savior - an act of service, a bad habit to repent of, a prayer of gratitude, etc.
Give service
Participate in Sub for Santa/Angel Tree
Volunteer in the community
Provide Christmas for a family in need
Place an empty manger in your home alongside a basket filled with strips of paper. Whenever you do something nice for someone else, write the act of service on a strip of paper and set in the manger. Try to fill the manger by Christmas morning!
Spend quality time with family
Decorate the Christmas tree
Visit the lights at Temple Square
Sing Christmas songs
Make a Christmas treat to bring your neighbors
Read Christmas stories and learn what the Christmas symbols represent
Frost Christmas cookies
Make homemade Christmas stockings
Act out the nativity story
After sharing Christmas traditions, we gathered around the church piano like a big family and sang a couple of Christmas hymns. Our voices swelled to fill the entire cultural hall, and my heart felt so full that tears pricked my eyes. How blessed we are to belong to such a wonderful church and to have the knowledge of a Savior who loves us! So much, in fact, that He gave His life for us so we can overcome our weaknesses, be comforted in our trials, and learn from our mistakes. Because of Christ's birth, we all have a light in the darkness. We all have a second chance. So as you busily prepare for this upcoming Christmas holiday, just remember: The greatest gift has already been given - our Savior, Jesus Christ.
