Honoring the Season: I believe that we should honor and celebrate religious holidays and special occasions. The Savior honored these kinds of traditions. His first recorded miracle was performed at a marriage in Cana. But honoring the season can be difficult if it involves extreme and costly preparations. I think we should avoid the goal as mothers to make the holiday amazing for all within our stewardship. We need to remind ourselves, and our children, that it will be a great season if we individually take efforts to stay close to our Father in Heaven, both in the creation and implementation of our plans. While some claim that the season brings great feelings of love and increased feelings of the spirit, others struggle to maintain the spirit they have the rest of the year, because they feel so burdened by the holidays. I try to remember that it isn't the Lord who over-programs me, I do that to myself.
A week before Christmas I fell into my bed exhausted. We had four December birthdays and a daughter who completed her mission with all the excitement and gatherings that accompany that happy event. Our returned missionary also had surgery on her foot the day following her homecoming talk and lots of follow-up care. I did a self-check and couldn't recall feeling the spiritl that particular day or even the day before. I wondered if I was failing and displeasing the Lord in my offerings. I cracked open the scriptures, began reading with honest intent, and the spirit returned. I had been reading the scriptures, but in my "busy-ness" that exercise had become perfunctory. I felt increased hope knowing that if I involved the Lord more, simplified my preparations and got more rest, I would make it through the season.
Honoring Relationships: At Christmas time many people find themselves experiencing some genuine depression. Often it is because this is that time of year where we consider the strength of our relationships with significant others. We may feel like a fifth wheel if we are unmarried or not currently "in a relationship". We greatly miss those who have passed on. There may be family members who are estranged. Some who have departed from the predominant faith of their families may feel judged and "cast out". Gathering with loved ones who don't seem to be going through what we are going through can often be a painful reminder of our circumstance. Even deciding how to recognize neighbors and how many to acknowledge can be stressful. If this is a time when we are struggling financially, the holidays may seem particularly bleak.
A Time to Focus and Refocus: At these times, we need to focus first and foremost on our own relationship with Christ. One of my favorite traditions is to gather on Christmas Eve, where the focus is less on gifting and more on the Savior. We do have all the siblings exchange names which rotates each year, and they exchange their gifts that night. Grandma gives a gift to all the grandchildren. The little ones do the manger scene as Luke is read. But then we have adult guests from that first Christmas, dressed in costume, who share their stories with us. They especially focus on how they individually prepared to receive the Savior. The point is often considered that these individuals had relationships with the Savior before this great event occurred. I think it doubtful that Mary had not had spiritual experiences prior to this time. She was surprised at the Angel Gabriel's salutation, not at seeing an angel. It is ludicrous to me to think that Joseph's revelation to marry Mary was his first spiritual experience. I believe he had enough spiritual experience to know and trust in that message from the Lord. Every time I see my family members dress up, I consider that the individuals who received him were mortals just like us. We too can make the decision to please the Lord, instead of pleasing men. They had hope in the fact that pleasing God would lead to a glorious future in His Kingdom. Like these great individuals in the past, we must proclaim what we believe to be true, live by faith, not seeing the end from the beginning, and allow those who hear us the choice to consider our testimonies or not. It is to reach out in faith, knowing we need the atonement every bit as much as any being who has ever lived, except for Him, who made that atonement possible. This may a time when we are given the opportunity to prove we will love and serve the Lord at every hazard, not caring too deeply about what other people think of us.
I always breath a sigh of relief when the decorations come down. I feel the same way when I return from a trip. I love normal life. I love routine and simplicity. But, this is the time of year for new beginnings. It is the time to test what we believe to be true by being our best selves, being honest in all of our doings, forgiving and forgetting, and serving those whom the Lord, in his omniscience, placed in our family circles. It is to consider that His return draweth nigh and it is time to prepare for that event by seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. If we do this with singleness of heart, then then all these things shall work together for our good and His name's glory. This was perhaps, one of the sweetest holidays I have ever experienced. The best times were definitely those moments when I was just holding a baby, sharing thoughts with loved ones, or hearing about my daughter's mission and what she learned. As I put the ornaments away, I was genuinely excited for next Christmas and wondered what might transpire between this year and next. I don't worry about stress tests and my accumulation of points. It isn't what happens to me that is all important, but how I respond to those stressors that will make all the difference.
