Christmas Joy

I sat down to write my blog post three hours ago, after movie night and bedtime where complete. A few minutes after I turned on my computer, Bryan asked if I would help him with a project in the basement. I looked at my screen, debated for a moment, then shut my laptop and headed downstairs.

When he and I finished our task, rather than jumping right back on the computer, I decided to take a few minutes to head up to my room and wrap the final Christmas gift for our little family. While there, I finalized the last of the stocking items, then headed back to the main floor to deliver the package to its new home under the tree. While I was wrapping, Peter, who had been told that he was in charge of putting himself to bed during Christmas break, asked if I would play a game with him. Again, I contemplated for a moment, knowing that I still needed to write this post, then said yes.

Peter and I just finished playing Monopoly. It was a fun game, though we both ran out of steam before we got to the end. Instead of spending my evening writing, I spent it with my family, doing service and making happy memories.

I love Christmas. I love the lights and the songs and the decorations. I love the coziness and the baking. I love the time spent with my family. I love the invitation to focus on the birth and life of the Savior. This last week for my personal scripture reading I reviewed the records of Christ's birth found in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. I have been mindful of Him as our family has participated in the Light the World campaign. I have prayed deeply to have a better understanding of the Atonement and to find peace in the midst of a terrible challenge I've been facing. All of these things have helped me feel joy and gratitude for Heavenly Father, who sent his son, and to that Son who was born and taught and led and died that we might return with our families to our Father again.

I have a testimony that we truly do have the opportunity to live as families for eternity. But would you want to spend forever with people you don't get along with? Or don't really know? Tonight I spent time with my family. I plan to do that for the entire next week. And that's how I can best honor the Savior at this special time of year, by cultivating some of the most important relationships I'll ever have.

Merry Christmas.