Me Thinks

Reflections on a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 2017:
It was a choice blessing to have Christmas Eve on a Sunday this year.  I liked that the shopping and errands were over by the 23rd and that the 24th felt holy and consecrated.  We had a wonderful church meeting with narration, music and gorgeous instrumental numbers.  Though every church service is uplifting, there was something unique and meaningful about our Christmas Eve church service. We were able to spend time together as a family that afternoon and the chicken, mushroom, asparagus crepes turned out.  Matthew had the idea to have the grandchildren act out the nativity.  I hesitated at his suggestion because I did not have complete sets of nativity costumes and I did not have the time to sew or search out items, but Matthew persisted. The grandchildren raided the costume bin and it worked out.  I forgot that children can be creative and that it doesn't matter if the costumes look exactly right, in fact, the creative interpretations of costumes made the reenactment especially enjoyable. 

It was wonderful to see the reactions of the children on Christmas morning. their squeals of delight and their excitement were heartwarming. The highlight of Christmas was talking with a missionary son and hearing him bear testimony of the Savior. When our older two sons served missions, we talked with them, but could not see them.  I wondered what it would be like to see and hear a missionary, and if it would make me more homesick to see him.  It is absolutely wonderful to see a smiling face, to see the joy, to see the eyes, along with hearing the voice. 

I feel gratitude for the gift of this Christmas season, for the Light the World challenges, for the gift of the Savior, and for the chance to be with family members on Christmas.  I am blessed.