I was surprised that today was fast Sunday. I was grateful for it though. I like to hear the testimonies and I like to share my testimony. I got to today.
I believe (this isn't it exactly), ahem...I believe that David is a man like Joseph...you know, Mary's Joseph. I believed him when he looked at me and said, "I'm here to help." He's a helper too--just better paced and a little wiser. Together we have several great ideas and accomplish many of them. But here's the struggle.
Last year we did not get to have Christmas together and I think we overcompensated and fell short of the feelings that we love about this time of year. Certainly, we fell short of being focused on the Savior. As a result, David and I decided that this year we did not want the focus to be on presents, but on one another--so, we agreed that everyone was going to get just one. We've tried this before and have had unsuccessful results--but happy results just the same.
However, already this year it seems that other people are stressing to us the importance of presents--not by lecturing, but by giving. So much for a year with only 1 gift and stocking for each.
But the intent was there. David and I have been married for 5 years this last November. We've discussed several times what the true meaning of Christmas is and what traditions we could create for our family that would really help us remember.
One we have settled on is reading the Christmas Story in Luke 2--based on the tradition of one of our apostles. We've had varying success.
Two is that we decorate the house and tree together as a family. That is always a big hit.
Three is opening one present on Christmas Even (something meaningful) and turning down all the lights and watching the room and quietly trying to visit.
Four is having prayer in the morning on Christmas Day and trying to slow down.
Five is having Enchiladas for Christmas dinner. This is actually my mom's and so far we're not good at making Enchiladas like she is, but we keep persevering.
If someone else out there has a remarkable idea that would truly help us teach our little children and make Christmas more meaningful--please feel free to post.
We're still working on it.
I'm a little spacey right now and did not add the rest of this post.
ReplyDeleteTo sum up, Sunday is a Special Day...It's the day we get ready for Christmas. We have 52 sundays every year and have that opportunity to remember the Savior and why we chose to follow him. Christmas is an extra-special day that we share with our families to rejoice in that decision. And when we have children, it's one of the best days to teach of the year. So, I really want to do it right.
Please leave your thoughts.
As a tradition I would like to add a brilliant piece from a Christmas tradition survey I have made while I have been in Japan. A friend told me they like to take the Christmas story out of the Bible and re-enact it with their children. I would like to try doing that, and have thought of many ways in which it could be done. The most feasible is to make popsicle characters; shepherds, wise men, Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, as an activity and make it a process through the Christmas season to make these, and re-enact on Christmas Eve. To complete the session it ought to be recorded and posted to family as an addition to the conceptual tradition.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite Christmas Traditions is kinda like David's. Every Christmas Eve we go to my grandparent's home and we actually act out the Nativity Story. Grandpa reads the story from Luke 2, while the cousins (and aunts and uncles) act out the story playing the parts of Mary, Joseph, Angels, Inn Keepers, Shepherds, Wisemen, and even the donkey and sheep. Granted it's easier with a big group, but even in your small family you could just have people play the key roles.
ReplyDeleteHey Katie, We also reenact the nativity scene on christmas eve. Johns family did this every year growing up and his parents still do it with whoever is around. It is such a fun and simple thing to do. We always just used towels and ribbon or the string off of your robes to make the headpieces the wisemen wore and use towels or sheets to make the clothing. It is probably one of my very favorite things to do during christmas time because anything goes. We have used a sled as our "donkey" and stuffed gorilla's under mary's shirt to look pregnant. It is always so funny to see what we can come up with each year but is also such a good lesson and reminder for all of us about the true meaning of christmas. We also like to do the morning prayer before opening christmas presents and we always had an amazing christmas breakfast at my grandparents every year. We are going to be doing it on our own this year in Texas but I'm still just as excited to make the homemade biscuits from scratch, scrabbled eggs, pancakes, sausage, homemade jams and chocolate milk.
ReplyDeleteI hope you guys are all doing well. I still think about my last conversation I had with you over the phone right before we moved and it always makes me feel good that you took the time to call me and give me such kind words. You are such a wonderful woman!
Merry Christmas to you and your cute little family.
Erin Pettingill