He is the Gift

Reaching out to others.  Is there any other time during the year when people think of others more than during the month of December?  It's been so rewarding to do something every day for someone else.  Little acts of service, bigger acts, medium acts.  The thing is to... ACT! I've loved being involved in various ways to bring some joy to someone else.  So very fun.  Such a great feeling.  I came across this great list of links of ideas to keep the focus on the Savior at this Christmas time. How will you share The Gift?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides many online resources to inspire and focus members' attention on the Savior. Here are just a few free and easy things you can do to make Christmas this year less about what you purchase, give, or receive and more about the Savior Jesus Christ.
1. Watch the First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional with seasonal music and inspiring messages.

2. Watch the “He Is the Gift” video and share it on social media with a personal message (#ShareTheGift, #ShareGoodness).
3. Watch the Bible Video “The Nativity.”
4. Scroll through the Church History Museum’s online gallery to see inspiring paintings relating to the Birth of Christ.
5. Listen to commercial-free Christmas music online on the Mormon Channel.
6. Listen to the 24/7 stream of Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas music and be sure to download five free Christmas songs.

7. Do the “Seek the Star” activity in the December 2014 New Era for a Christmas family home evening. Find more ideas for teaching children about Christmas from the Friend.
8. Browse the LDS.org Media Library for Christmas images and Christmas videos you can download, use, and share to bring the Spirit of Christ into your life and home.
9. Read how you can follow the Savior  through service.

10. Read 5 Gift Ideas That Bring Christ into Christmas for more ideas on giving Christ-centered gifts.

He is the Gift

I absolutely love Christmas music.  We own a TON of it.  I try to listen to each CD (yeah, I know...I'm old school like that) at least once during December.  I love the traditional music, the old school variety and the spiritually infused music the most.  But, I also like to hear new variations on a theme.  For example these new arrangements.  Love, love, love them!  This one has 21,576,366 views as of this morning:



Also,



And this out-of-the-ordinary sound,



Rick and his family went to this concert and really, really loved it.  I couldn't go, but hope to next year.

And finally....

these online mini concerts provided by Provo City featuring local artists.  Some of them are quite good!  So many people sharing The Gift!  How will you share The Gift?

He is the Gift

Every year we make the annual pilgrimage to LDS temple square located in Salt Lake City at Christmas time.  It is stunning.  This year we met Rick's sister Margie and her husband Grant for a BYU basketball game at the Energy Solutions arena before we took the tour of temple square.  Rick had made a reservation at The Roof restaurant afterwards for a romantic dinner.  The restaurant overlooks temple square and the festive scene is second to none.  It was a lovely evening.  I think of ALL the people who work so hard to decorate for all of us to enjoy.  A cousin of our SIL Rich (Emily) works full-time on grounds at temple square.  She has posted several pictures of the process they go through (on Instagram) to decorate temple square.  Check out this interesting article about the history of temple square lighting over the years.  It's so interesting! I appreciate all those who make this annual tradition possible for so many people.  How will you share The Gift?

He is the Gift

Lovely table setting

Huckleberry, mincemeat & pumpkin pies

Gary, the master chef with his 26 pound turkey

ginger snap cookies with peppermint crunch
 topping for the sister's cookie exchange

crepes for dessert

Mom's lovely decorated home

all ready for Christmas

Mom's cute little musical train/tree

Let the eating begin!

We had such a fun weekend with my mom, my siblings and their spouses in cache valley over the last weekend.  My sister Mary Ann hosted us at her lovely home for dinner Friday night.  Saturday I got to go shopping with my sister Carol and find some fun things for her home.  Saturday afternoon we went to the home of my big brother Gary and he and his wife Nancy served us an outstanding Christmas dinner.  My mom was actually the hostess (it is HER annual Christmas party, make no mistake) but this year we went to Gary's to enjoy dinner together.  He is a master cook.  Seriously, he and Nancy are such good cooks and they treated us to a lovely meal.  Five USU students entertained us afterwards with some lovely Christmas music.  It was so fun to get together with all my siblings (minus Paul and DeNae) and enjoyed the company of one another.  I love my family and we enjoyed reminiscing about Christmases past.  Many people shared their time and talents with us.  How will you share The Gift?

He is the Gift

Every year, LDS congregations (wards) throughout the world have a ward Christmas party.  It can take various forms and be in the evening or sometime during the day.  It can be more focused on Santa Claus or be more spiritual in nature.
I remember ward Christmas parties when I was a kid.  Santa Claus would always make an appearance and give each kid there a brown paper bag full of hard tack candy, nuts and an orange.  I was thrilled with that bag of goodies.  Somehow I don't think kids now would like that bag of treats very much. 
Since I serve at the Relief Society activities chair, I was asked to head up the ward Christmas party this year.  All of the auxiliaries helped, but someone needed to steer the ship and make assignments and that fell to me.  Our dear Bishop Loveless passed away a few weeks ago, so our ward is still hurting from that loss.  We invited the Loveless family as our special guests and wanted to make the party in remembrance of our Bishop who always said "life is good!"
Our theme was "Joy to the World! The symbols of Christmas."  We had a lovely breakfast of breakfast enchiladas, cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit and dip, hot chocolate, OJ and milk. We had a Christmas pageant about the symbols of Christmas, and pinatas for the children at the end.  We also wrote letters to our many ward missionaries.  It was a fun time for all and it turned out great.  It was very well attended and everyone helped pitch in to make is a success!  Many people shared their gifts that Saturday morning. How will you share The Gift?
A certain wise man kind of stole the show.  Somehow his crown just didn't fit his large head.  Can you tell which one he is?