New Year's Resolution #1

Love it!! And my fuzzy slippers too.

Happy New Year!!

A Christmas Prayer

A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus,

that we may share in the song of the angels,

the gladness of the shepherds,

and worship of the wise men.

Close the door of hate

and open the door of love all over the world.

Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting.

Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings,

and teach us to be merry with clear hearts.

May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children,

and Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts,

forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

-- Robert Louis Stevenson

There's not much I can add to this because it encompasses every thought I've had about the approach of Christmas this year. The blessings of Jesus can't be counted but they include the kindness, good desires, happiness and gratitude spoken of above.

At this very hectic and busy time of year, I always have to take a minute to read through this prayer. It quiets me, it centers me and it reminds me of what it is we are commemorating: the sweetest, most important gift we have ever been given.

Love and Christmas blessings to all!

December

At the risk of becoming (boring and) redundant, may I just say that I am amazed that it's already the first week of December? Again, where has the time gone?

We have one of our busiest weeks ever: I had my yearly physical (I'm healthy!), a dentist appt., a hair appt., Natie had a hair appt, (which involves me as the play-mate for the kiddoes), and the biggest time-sucker was our Stake Christmas fireside. I was the accompanist for the stake choir as well as another musical number -- and when you factor practice time into that, (both with the groups and on my own) it adds up to a lot of time, especially the week before the event.

But it was wonderful. The program was lovely, the spirit was strong, and the music was beautiful. I was so grateful to have been able to be as involved as I was in making beautiful music. It filled my heart and my soul and made all the work and time worth every second. I loved it.

And now we are looking at Christmas -- and if it happens like the rest of this year has, it will be here tomorrow. And there is so much to do. I feel the pressure building already. But this is when I have to remind myself of what it's really all about. It's not about finding the perfect present. In fact, it's not really about the presents at all. It's not about the lights, or the buying. It's about love. It's about sharing. It's about kindness and friendship. It's about Jesus, that baby in the manger, truly the greatest gift ever given.

There's still a lot to do, but I am reminded of the sweet poem by Christina Rosetti -- "What can I give Him? I'll give Him my heart." And that's what I really want to give to my loved ones. My heart. Sure, I will give them the gift I picked out, but mostly what I want them to know is how much I love them, and how much they matter to me in my life.

Jesus was the perfect example. He was a teacher, a doer of loving deeds, and a friend. This is the example I want to follow. I want to be like Him.

And that's what I want my friends and loved ones to receive this year, along with their gift. The knowledge of that love and the remembrance and gratitude for that miraculous birth and life, so long ago.

So during these next few weeks, let's all slow down, take a few minutes and remember the reason we celebrate. It's what really matters.