The Spirit of {Christ}mas

Every year during the holidays, I try to focus on the Savior.  But with the business and hustle and bustle that comes with this time of year, more often than not I'm not very successful at really focusing on Christ.  Which is silly, really.  Isn't that what this season is all about?  After all, it's called CHRISTmas.  It is a time to celebrate the birth of the Savior. 

We get distracted by the gifts we want to give people, decorating our homes, getting a million things done in a few short weeks.  But what about really focusing on Christ?

This year, my goal was to make this a Christ-centered holiday season.  And I wanted to teach Emmy about Christ's birth.  So, I tried to get my shopping done early.  Emmy helped me set up our Nativity so that I could explain it to her.  I bought a children's book that helped Emmy to understand the birth of Jesus and who Mary and Joseph were.  We went to Temple Square to see the lights and the big Nativity they had set up, and Emmy got to see the temple {which, by the way, she has been informing us that she wants to get married there :) }. 

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I was really able to feel the spirit of Christ this year.  And it feels good.  My life seems to run more smoothly, I seem to be happier, I feel like I'm a better mom and I think my marriage is better when I'm really focused on Christ.  It makes me want to be a better person, to make the right choices and decisions for me and my family.  Decisions that will bring the spirit into our home and will help us to draw closer to Christ.

"As we contemplate how we are going to spend our money to buy gifts this holiday season, let us plan also for how we will spend our time in order to help bring the true spirit of Christmas into the lives of others."  -- President Thomas S. Monson

The holiday season isn't over yet.  We still have time to serve others, to feel the magical spirit of the season and to remember Christ.