The Reason for the Season

I can't believe Christmas is the day after tomorrow. If you're asking about my physical preparation...gifts bought and wrapped, treats made, cards delivered, I'm ready for Christmas. But I'm just not ready for the Christmas season to be over. This is my favorite time of year not for December 25th but for everything leading up to it. I love the scones at Winder Dairy, the 5400 light display, The Forgotten Carols, the lights on Temple Square, the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, the twelve days of Christmas, giving money to the Salvation Army workers, filling up and delivering the Christmas jar, the Nativity story displayed in the yards around the Bountiful Temple, the countdown to Christmas made out of red and green paperclips, anticipating the look on someone's face when they unwrap a well though-out gift you've given them, the "Merry Christmas"es said to and by strangers, a renewed belief in the divinity of Christ, and perhaps above all else, the extra time spent with family.

Thanks to Adiel for making this picture that we gave our young women tonight as a Christmas present. I hope it will help you as the big day approaches to keep your focus on the tiny babe that changed the world forever, the most humble One who offers salvation to all those who will take hold of His perfect hand, scarred for us, and let Him lead us back to our Father in Heaven.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.