As the summer days become more pleasant and leaves begin to change and the back to school commercials (that have been running since the day school got out) are replaced by Halloween themed ads... I know it's coming. The thing that for me is the most dreaded word in the English language. Winter. Ok, it's not really that bad. But for a person who thrives on sunlight, outdoors, warmth, and running, winter isn't exactly my favorite time of year. I actually really love fall. I love that crisp feeling in the air, the perfect running weather, the return to school and meeting all my new students, the INCREDIBLE east coast landscapes, the orchards, home feeling a little more cozy, fires in the fireplace... and if the arrival of fall didn't mean winter was on the way it might just be my favorite time of year. So this year my prayer was that I could find beauty in and feel gratitude for every season. And it has definitely helped.
Aside from the 'w' word, the commercialism of the holiday season brings us to a place very far from what the season is actually about. I struggle to find the balance of showing people I love through gifts that I think of them and care about them, and not getting caught up in the commercialism. This year I'll admit I got a little more 'spend happy' then I have in seasons past.
So... the cure. The things that make this time of year happy and warm. That bring renewed perspective and meaning to life.
First, it's about love. Love for family, for friends, for people who are struggling or in pain or who are suffering, for people who are making great, unselfish sacrifices for others' comforts and freedoms, for the people in our everyday lives, for people we don't even know, for people who show us how to be more like Christ, for God, and for Jesus Christ. How do we feel that love? How do we give that love? How do we fill our lives... our days with that love? First, by praying for it. Then, by acting. By serving. By spending quality time with people. By praying for the needs of the people we want to love or to show love to. I have so many great examples of this in my life, and there are so many in the scriptures. Christ showed the ultimate example of how to feel, show, and give that love to others. He gave His time and His life in service and sacrifice. He prayed for us. He overcame the greatest temptations and endured the greatest pain that anyone has and ever will overcome and endure. And He continues to be the source of the greatest love that exists.This is one of my favorite stories of Christlike love.
When thinking about Christ and what His life and gospel bring to the world, hope is the second thing that comes to mind. As mentioned, there is much pain and suffering in the world. Much of which I can't begin to comprehend or empathize with. But we can gain perspective and understanding in knowing that no matter the despair discouragement, there is always hope... through Him. And only through Him. I love what Elder Holland shares in this little video segment. Having always had access to this hope and to the truths that give it life, I am inspired and touched when I hear the testimonies of those who have lived first without it, and whose lives have changed as a result of finding it. And my favorite discourse on hope.
Reading the Christmas story during the season for some reason is always different than at any other time of year. I love this version, because it has links to Christmas songs and stories.
I love seeing it through little kids' eyes. On Christmas Eve I asked my four year old niece what was going to happen in a day. Expecting to hear that Santa would be there, I was impressed to hear her say, "It's Jesus' birthday". Here are some sincere thoughts and feelings of kids at Christmas time.
