"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.
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