I'm still making my way through Sister Oaks' book. She talks about the holidays, and how hard Christmas can be for single people and for married people. I love Christmas. Since we decided not to do any sort of sibling gift exchange, my Decembers are usually stress free (except for this year, when I was in charge of the ward Christmas party - thank goodness for delegation and wonderful ward members!). I avoid the malls, sing in various Christmas music presentations, and enjoy my time to focus on the real meaning of Christmas rather than on the hustle and bustle and material things.
Other than the food, of course, Christmas day is not actually my favourite part of the holiday - possibly a result of too many fights over who got more than who (or should that be whom?), or maybe its even leftover disappointment from the year I searched for, and found, my presents before Christmas - that was a horrible morning.
My favourite is Christmas eve. We get together with family, sing, eat, read the Christmas story from the bible, have a little white elephant gift exchange game, and eat some more. And after everyone is gone, and those who are left have gone to bed, I go quietly into the TV room and watch the Nativity video. It makes me tear up every time, and always at the same point. When the wise man looks up and sees the new star and his chin starts to tremble as he's holding back tears, I remember the immeasurable greatness of our Saviour, that the gift He has given us is truly worth searching for through our entire lives. I am blessed because I have found Him. My private moments during the Nativity video renew my determination to do all I can to stay close to Him, that when He comes, I will be like Him and see Him as He is.
I love my Saviour and wish for all of you this Christmas the peace of knowing He lives for each one of you.
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