O Holy Night

I was standing on my parents deck tonight after it had been snowing today for most of the day.  A fresh white coat blanketed my view of neighborhoods and the lake.  All of a sudden I thought "everyone in America and other places in the world have tomorrow off."  We may not all be Christian, but our nation has recognized that Christ is important.  We take the day off and spend time with family, but may you all remember that it was Christ our Savior that made everything in life possible.  I love Him so much and am grateful for all that He ha done for me.  On this "O Holy Night"  my thoughts will be thinking about how Mary felt, how the world changed the moment he was born, and for the hope that he brings to my life.

Our Shepherd

They were as sheep not having a shepherd: 

and he began to teach them many things.-Mark 6:34

Glorious Time

This is a glorious time of year.  

This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness 

that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our minds,

 feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas.

-Thomas S. Monson

     

 

Catching Up

So I'm a little behind with the crazy holiday's, but I thought I would share my favorite quote from A Christmas Carol.  "He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see."  I love this!  I hope that others also see my imperfections and think of the one who can make us all perfect one day because of His birth and resurrection for each of us.

I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you

For being

For being our light and leading the way. 

For being the Spirit which makes Christmas day.

You've been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide,

Please continue to help me and stay by my side.

-Greg Olsen

Glitter

 

The glitter of the season should never... prevent us from truly seeing

The Prince of Peace. -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Real Joy

Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season. We can keep Him in our thoughts and in our lives as we go about the work He would have us perform here on earth. At this time, particularly, let us follow His example as we love and serve our fellowman. -Thomas S. Monson

Breath of Heaven=The Savior

I have traveled many moonless nights, cold and weary, with a babe inside.  And I wonder what I've done, 

Holy Father you have come and chosen me now to carry your son.  I am waiting in a silent prayer.  I am frightened by the load I bear.  In a world as cold as stone, must I walk this path alone?  Be with me now, be with me now...Breath of Heaven, hold me together be forever near me Breath of Heaven.  Breath of Heaven lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness,  for your holy Breath of Heaven.  Do you wonder as you watch my face if a wiser one should have had my place, but I offer all I am, for the mercy of your plan.  Help me be strong, help me be, help me. Breath of Heaven hold me together, be forever near me, breath of heaven.  Breath of Heaven lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness, for your holy...  Breath of Heaven hold me together be forever near me Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness for your Holy Breath of Heaven, breath of Heaven, breath of heaven, breath of heaven.  (These lyrics are by Amy Grant.  I encourage you to look up the song on Youtube)

Center

The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force.  The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master...

If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong.  On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right. -Howard W. Hunter

Messiah

I am a few days behind because of a busy life.  Here are 3 new Nativities.  The first one is the one I grew up with in my home.  The second is one I have been seeing in a lot of yards and the last I just liked.  I was privileged to be able to go to a "Messiah" sing along last night.  It was so beautiful.  Now I know where so many songs come from and I love Handel.  I wished that all people everywhere knew the reason for Christmas and would keep him the focus.  He truly is the Messiah and the Savior of the world.  If you need reminding, just go and read the scriptures.  I know that He lives and was born into this world to bring about the redemption of mankind!

Humble Beginnings

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 

Lying in a manger.

Innkeeper

Dearest God,
    Please never let me

Crowd my life Full to the brim.

So like the keeper of Bethlehem’s Inn,

I find I have no room for Him.

Instead, let my heart’s door be ever open,

Ready to welcome the newborn King.

Let me offer the best I have

to Him who gives me everything.

-Author unknown

 

Each of us is an innkeeper which decides if there is room for Jesus.

-Neal A. Maxwell

 

 

My Gift

May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in Spirit,
taking with us a tender,

caring heart as our gift to the Savior.
-President Thomas S. Monson

Holy Infant

Silent Night! Holy Night!  All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin Mother and Child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in Heavenly Peace;

Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Forgot

I forgot to post yesterday, but I didn't forget Christ!  After all that is what Christmas is about. "Without  Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy." 

-Ezra Taft Benson

And there went out a decree

This morning I attended my ward family Christmas breakfast and was so impressed!  I have been to a lot of Church Christmas parties, but this was above them all.  A decree went out among all the ward members and our "tax" was cans of food to enter the city.  We were also encouraged to dress in the time period.  The breakfast tents were full of many delicacies.  As we finished our meal the narration of the Christmas story started interspersed with our singing.  The young women and men had spent an evening making all the decorations similar to the image above.  Most of the characters were played by youth in the ward, who were adorable.  The program truly made me feel the spirit of Christmas...Christ!