This video is about the gift our Savior is to each of us. It is a beautiful reminder of what Christmas is supposed to be about. So, for those of you who are LDS and have seen the video a thousand times you know of which I am going to say. Let me expound though.
In the last several years I have boycotted neighbor gifts. Don't get me wrong, I have gratitude, and love the effort that my neighbors have put into each of their thoughtful gifts. I loved the creativity of my Graphic design friend, or the divine homemade Andes mints we would receive from another friend. We were truly loved and spoiled. However, a few years ago, as I started ramping up for the season and the stress involved in making the most creative, or delicious, or out of the box gift that I could come up with, I realized that something that was supposed to be a joy had become expensive, and time consuming, and stressful! I started adding up the money used to give gifts to people on my street and then pondered on the one thing that was most important...my Savior. I was so caught up in the most "Perfect Holiday" that I had lost sight of the Savior's Gift to me. I had lost sight of the "why" of the season.
I'm sure I am not alone in this struggle. Back when our grandmothers started all the traditions that we carry on, they did not have the hectic pace that we live in today. We as women are trying to achieve something that leaves us drained of our essential energy; the energy that we need to do the most important thing like nurturing our family and furthering the Lord's work! I had a friend comment to me once that the Christmas season exhausted her so completely that she ended it needing a vacation from friends and family alike. Is that the message that we are supposed to be sending as disciples of Christ?
So, what did I do? I scaled back. Baking became minimalist, I didn't do neighbor gifts. Decorating got done early or not at all, and we started making memories as a family instead of buying stuff for Christmas. Oh, and the money I saved from having the "Perfect Christmas"? It got put to a much better investment; people in need. Our family started picking families in the area that were in need of help and then gave back. It wasn't just monetary need though, we prayed about, and chose families that had needs of all different kinds. Suddenly my Christmas had more meaning again. I didn't spend the whole holiday shopping, I baked a couple of times to carry on traditions, and I found other times during the year to show my neighbors how much I loved them.
Well, fast forward a few years and now instead of living in Utah (the most friendly and outgoing place I have ever lived!!!) I live in Florida, where my neighbors are all extremely quite and reclusive. It has been a long time since I have lived in a community that was so socially awkward, and I am pondering again what my mission and my purpose is at Christmas time. For all of us who are Christian, our purpose is to share the gift of our Savior. We have been commanded in the scriptures to spread the good news. This is the reason I love the video that our church put out for the holiday season. The message is universal, Share the Gift. Okay, so I need to obey that commandment we have been given and what better way than to rescind my previous decision to boycott gifts, and get back to spreading the good news.
Let's be honest though, I kept it simple. I chose to give something that doesn't take too much time away from other things, isn't very expensive, and as you can see, gives me the opportunity to #ShareTheGift. The response has been great from our neighbors. One in particular exclaimed that he finally had real neighbors! :D Only one person turned on the porch lights, quieted the barking dog, and didn't open the door. Not really sure what that is about...but at least our neighbors now know who we are (finally), and know what we stand for. I challenge whoever is reading my blog to take the time to share the gift of our Savior's birth and find the joy that this season really does have to offer. I challenge you to be less busy, and more happy.
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