I have been a bit concerned about the upcoming Christmas season. Tom and I are going on a cruise with his family, which we are ecstatic about, but it means a Christmas spent in an airport, on way to a tropical beach. Amazing, I know- but what about Christmas. I hesistate to blog this, because I don’t want to sound ungrateful, Tom and I are both stoked about going to South America. Regardless it has got me thinking about how I can bring the Christmas spirit with us. We’ll be with family, which has always been a large part of what Christmas meant for me. The gifts, I won’t miss, Tom and I have everything we need. It’s the spiritual component I fear I will miss. Christmases of the past have always included a house full of nativities, a live nativity put on by my younger siblings and nieces and nephews, readings of Luke 2, discussions of what we will give Christ that year, and service to neighbors and community members. In the blur of the final week of classes and finals, I worried if I would have time to do any of these things. Of course stress had blurred my perspective and indeed I have time to do all of these (except perhaps the live nativity.) Thursday night I attended our ward’s Christmas Relief Society meeting, it included a short musical program and a wreath making event. As I drove home the spirit of Christmas burned in my heart, I sang Christmas songs and told the Lord all the things I was grateful for. Friday was our Ward’s Family Christmas Dinner. I had been asked to sing. By the time it was my turn the culture hall had descended into chaos, with kids running and screaming everywhere. Despite this, I sang Oh Holy Night, one of my favorite Christmas songs. The room quieted and kids stopped to listen and watch. Parents smiled, and a sweet spirit rested upon the room and upon my heart. The Christmas spirit lighted once again.

Yesterday, I decorated the house. A neighbor had done some pruning in their back yard and a huge pile of pines lay ready to be picked up on their front lawn. For the last week and a half I have looked longing at the pile of pines, eagerly awaiting the day when my tests and papers would be finished and I could indulge myself to as much garland as I wanted. That day was yesterday. I made swags and hung them on the front door and on the front railing, even on our bedroom door. I covered the piano and the fireplace mantel with garland and lit it up with lights. I added pine to the tops of the window, and added ornaments to add color and warmth. I felt so spoiled spending several hours decorating my house such, but all the while I listened to Christmas music, thought about family, adored my two small Nativities, and felt that loving warm Spirit. It was such a different feeling from what I had felt earlier at the mall. The hustle and bustle of consumerist Christmas. Instead it was a calm sweet humble spirit of peace and love. After I was finished I moved on to other things Christmas- making gifts. My heart delighted as I thought of each recipient and wondered if they would like the humble gift I was to offer them. My mind was drawn back to Christmases when Brigette and I would lock ourselves away making gifts like elves, and shouting “You can’t come in! I’m making gifts!” The spirit of Creativity enveloped me and further lighted my Christmas flame.

In advent calendar fashion, today brought another Christmas delight. Testimony meeting was full of sincere intimate testimonies, and a lesson about the joy of Christmas left me in happy tears. Choir practice gave me yet another chance to sing festive songs, and I still have the First Presidency Christmas message to enjoy tonight.

To Him, who has been filling my advent calendar, I thank You.