CHRISTmas

Christmas is my favorite holiday. I love the carols. I love the time with family and friends. I love the abundance of treats. I love the decorations-- the lights, the trees, the ornaments. But most of all: I love the spirit that I feel at Christmas time-- the spirit that helps me feel closer to my Savior, Jesus Christ.

It's this holiday that is truly His holiday. It has even taken upon itself His name! CHRISTmas. When anything takes on Christ's name, it is consecrated for him. For example, when we take upon ourselves the name of Christ through sacred covenants, we become his people. (Mosiah 5:7) Similarly, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints is called after Christ. Christ himself said, "And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if it be called Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church." This is the same with his Holiday. Christmas is not called Mosesmas. If it was it would be Moses' holiday.  It's also not called Decorationsmas, Presentsmas, Foodmas, Santamas, Givingmas or Familymas. Although there are many good traditions associated with Christmas, this is not what the day should be consecrated for. The day should be consecrated to Christ!

It can become consecrated to Christ as we try to put more Christ in our Christmas. When thinking about this idea, I noticed that the second syllable in the word Christmas is "mas." I don't know a ton about root words, but it reminds me of "mass." I got really excited when I noticed this correlation because I want to have a massive amount of Christ in my Christmas. I mentioned this connection to a member of the congregation at church. He expounded off of this idea. He told me that "mas" in Spanish means more! I love this!!! That means that the "definition" of Christmas is MORE CHRIST!!!

Sometimes it can be easy to get "wrapped up" in other Christmas activities and forget about putting more Christ in our Christmas season. Combat the tendency to think of santa and other secular things by doing activities that are centered on the Savior. Sing songs about Him. Read stories about Him. Serve Him.
 
My mom wrote a poem on this subject that I'd love to share:

Put Christ at the center of your life
Throughout this holiday
For His birth is the reason
We celebrate Christmas Day

As you think about Santa Claus
And the presents on your list
Remember the greatest gift of all
Was the baby that Mary kissed

Put Christ at the center of your life
As the Christmas Tree you trim
For the evergreen represents eternal life
Which can only be gained through Him

Keep Him close within your heart
As you watch the lights aglow
For the greatest illumination will come
When you give Him your heart and soul

Put Christ at the center of your life
As the presents come rolling in
For accepting His atonement
Is the only way to win

Then keep His sacrifice in mind
As you give to those in need
For Christ served all whom He did meet
And we should follow His lead

Put Christ at the center of your life
Today and every day
And you will know the joy that comes
From following His way


~Kristine Cox

I know that we will feel the true joy that comes from Christ as we put him at the center of our Christmas and the center of our lives. I know my Savior lives, and I love him with all my heart!

Merry Christmas!

SNOW DAY!

Being from Salt Lake County, I am used to lots of snow in the winter months! We get snow from October to March some years. It's the powdery, beautiful kind of snow, too. (Well, it was at least beautiful to watch from inside my home. It wasn't as pretty when I had to scrape it off my car each morning before attending classes.) The snow builds up in heaps in Utah. There are always a few storms each year that provide enough snow to make a hefty snowman. When I picture a snow day I think of six feet of snow on the ground: enough to barricade me inside if I was indoors, or bury me alive if I was outdoors. Well... I guess I was misinformed. It's my first snow day... and I think there is maybe, possibly an inch of snow on the ground (if you rounded up to the nearest inch).

This is my first year living in the DC area and there wasn't any snow in October. Or November. And then today: IT FINALLY SNOWED!!!  I was so happy! It basically felt like home. (except the snow here falls in like little pellets and is more slushy.. anyways, it was still happy.) All morning I heard people mention how cautious everyone needs to be on the roads. I was just chuckling to myself because it was hardly any snow at all compared to what I am used to.

We arrived at church this afternoon and it wasn't long before the snow started again. It was quite magical to watch the snow fall outside of the old, chapel windows, while a bell choir performed a special musical number! It was just lovely. I was much enjoying myself when the Bishop got up an announced that we would only have the first hour of church. He said because of the weather we wouldn't have Sunday School or other classes. I honestly laughed out loud. Church cancelled? What is this? haha. I'd never heard of church being cancelled in my whole life, and now it was: all over a tiny amount of snow!!! Then, I received a text message from our missionary leaders saying the weather is sketchy and we should stay indoors. I wasn't going to complain... It sounds like so much fun to have a snow day... but I was confused because this weather does not seem harsh compared to what I am used to. I couldn't believe that we were actually having a snow day! It seemed silly!

After church, a member of our congregation explained to me the type of conditions that happen when the weather gets like this. She said that the weather and altitude is just right here so that when the snow turns to rain it freezes instantly. She said these ice storms cause the roads to be completely slick, making it unsafe to drive. She said the people here also don't know how to drive in these conditions, so it makes it even more dangerous. These ice storms apparently freeze everything over to the point where she said it's not even safe to walk outside. Wow. I'd never heard of such a thing. It now made sense in my mind of why it was important for us to stay inside. I now realized why so many people had been concerned about this seemingly-pleasant weather.

I instantly noticed a correlation between this circumstance and my goal of avoiding the tendency I have to be critical of others. I am a naturally positive person. I thrive off of smiles and laughs. When I see someone who is angry I look on their life and sometimes I judge them. I think, "Wow, your life really isn't that hard. Would you please try to be happy. I've been through harder things than you and I still manage to get by with a positive attitude." This is the wrong attitude to have!!! The Savior himself said, "Judge not that you be not judged." (Matt 7:1, 3 Ne. 14:1) I've really come to learn that I don't know what other people are going through-- I don't know what they are "weathering." Sometimes when people are struggling or 'the weather is rough' it is evident. This is like the storms in Utah. It's simple to notice 3 feet of snow on the ground, just like it is easy to spot that someone is struggling emotionally when they are having a sobbing fit. Other people's problems may be hidden, like the Virginia storm. It looks like okay weather, but upon farther examination the weather really is harsh. I may not notice the hurt others have, but the least I can do is avoid judging them until a better season comes. What a powerful lesson I have learned today!