Seeing Christmas Through New Eyes

Teaching Relief Society every three months is great for my testimony.  It forces me to read, study and ponder gospel principles.  Back in August, when I agreed to teach the lesson in December, I had grand ideas about what kind of "program" I wanted to teach.  But as December neared, and my life was filled with wonderful wedding plans, 70th birthday preparations, and Christmas to do lists, I began to dread the idea of teaching, and spending time studying to do it. (I know--it's kinda cringe worthy to say this stuff out loud.)

However, I have come to realize, that if I am dreading doing it, it most likely means that I would benefit from doing it--especially when it comes to Church service.  And so it was with teaching this month; I was REALLY dreading it.  I determined to do it, and to find a topic that I could really benefit from, hoping that others could as well.  I read all the Christmas devotional talks that I could find, and I searched blog after blog for good ideas, but nothing seemed quite right.  However, on the road to Denver, I read one talk by President Uchtdorf entitled Seeing Christmas Through New Eyes , and it was exactly what I was needing.

The following quote really pulled me in; 

We know what the Christmas season ought to be—we know it should be a time of reflection on the birth of the Savior, a time of celebration and of generosity. But sometimes our focus is so much on the things that annoy and overwhelm us that we can almost hear ourselves say in unison with the Grinch: “Why, for fifty-three years I’ve put up with it now! I MUST stop this Christmas from coming! . . . But HOW?”

I don't really want to keep Christmas from coming.  I just don't know how to fit all I have to do in the time frame I need to do it in this year.  (And let's be honest, when the mom is stressed out and tired, it makes it hard for the whole family to enjoy the festivities.)  So if I am supposed to cut something out of our traditions--in the vein of Good, Better, Best-- what should it be?  How should I narrow down the focus of Christmas, to eliminate stress, without eliminating something that could be beneficial?  

President Uchtdorf simplifies it for me.  If I study and ponder the following three things, both personally and as a family, I can have the true spirit of Christmas in my home.

1. Rejoice in the Birth of the Savior

2. Ponder his Influence in our Lives Today

3. Look Steadfastly for His Coming

Of course doing this alone, can't change the focus of Christmas entirely.  However if I apply this litmus test to my traditions--does it rejoice in his birth, help me ponder his influence and commit more fully to him, or help me look forward to the second coming--then perhaps it helps me know not only which traditions to keep, but also the attitude to which my traditions should be kept.

I give the example of the daily advent calendars.  We have 4 calendars that are a matter of moving a sled, number or thing from a pocket to visually count down the days until Christmas.  I also have a collection of children's stories we read one a night, two books of traditional one-a-day Christmas stories(Gift of the Magi and the like), Christmas movies on tv, an old family Christmas story book, a service a day calendar, and a scripture tree.  All of these help with the anticipation of Christmas, and bringing the spirit daily.  But if the mom feels continual pressure to keep them up, feels like she is either failing or stressing --keeping the kids up too late, or frustrating her already stressed husband-- to do them then we need to ask the question again.  Is the way we are doing the tradition really accomplishing the intended purpose?  I decided it was not.  So over the past few years we have altered our use of the advent slightly.  We hang up--or put out--the advent calendars, and occasionally read the Christmas stories when we are not at a performance, or a party.  The only advent that gets my daily attention is the scripture tree.  We read a verse or two of a scripture, and talk about the principle of emulating Christ and hang that ornament on the little scripture tree.  For this year, I feel like that passes President Uchtdorf's test.

As was said in my lesson today, each year I think we should asses the traditions of years past.  Consider if they are serving the intended purpose, and if the way that we are performing the tradition is in the spirit of Christ, and celebrating the impact he had on the world, and for me personally.  

With President Uchtdorf's counsel I proceed forward into one of the most stressful, joyous, and wonderful seasons of the year.  I look forward to the incredible adventure of the season, and the eternal marriage of Jocelyn and Alec.  Life is so incredibly full.  I am very grateful to my Heavenly Father for my rich blessings. 

I am always on the lookout for great ideas for Christmas traditions.  Do you have traditions that you love to do that help you and your family feel the true spirit of Christmas?   I'd love to hear them!  Please comment!