Every year I worry that I'm more worried about presents than the birth of my savior. I wonder why we think it so important to add so much fluff to the season, why we need to buy presents, why we have to do a hundred other little things that can get in the way. I worry that I put present buying above everything else.
This year I've been praying that I might find an excuse to buy the presents for my children and family that I truly love to buy. I think I found it. And it's not an excuse, but a real reason.
"Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless" - Pres. Monson
I am so thankful for a prophet of God who leads his people. I feel truly blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I obviously don't feel that people should go into debt to spent atrocious amounts of money on presents, but if we spend wisely, selflessly, lovingly, I think it's okay. I love to do kind deeds around this time of year. My kids favorite thing to do is find a family and secretly help them or give to them somehow. I love this because by doing these things, they learn the true meaning of Christmas. It's charity, it's giving of yourself to someone in need, or just to someone simply because you love them and want to show them in a small way that they mean something to you. It doesn't have to be shown in a monetary manifestation, but in a gift of service, a phone call, or a simple card.
I love where President Monson says, " To find the true spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable, and it becomes the spirit of Christ."
I know there are people who think we're nuts because Santa isn't part of our Christmas celebration, but we don't entirely leave him out. We teach our children that Santa Claus is the spirit of Christmas, the inclination a person feels to give a gift without the need to receive as well. I don't want to force my children to be good by holding the possibility of no presents over their heads the whole season, I just want them to enjoy it and look for ways to help others feel it as well.
I'm so looking forward to this Christmas season. While I'll be mourning the lack of family, snow, or cold weather here in California, I'm looking forward to depending on my immediate family to help bring the spirit of Christ into our little home. I'm so blessed with people who love me and with people to love.
As we were coming up with activities to do to put into our Christmas advent calendar, Lauren suggested we all write something on a piece of paper that we will do to be a better person, wrap it up, and put it under the tree. If nothing else this season, I hope that my little family can give our Savior the gift of a loving family.
Merry Christmas.
I also felt inspired to cut Lauren's hair down to a longer A-line. That little girl looked so beautiful! We'll see...
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