Thinking about what? Well it's more like what am I not thinking about. Hopefully this post will be semi organized and can semi make sense. If not, oh well typical jess for you, I've never been like the writing English person. Also, heads up thanks to Cass instead of xmas...I'm using her trend as "cmas". Don't hate :)
Once November hits, let me tell you--family traditions right and left! I love the Holiday season. It is crazy and stressful, but yes it is the most wonderful time of the year. Some of the highlights from these past two months is as follows:
- Cutting down Christmas tree (i'm not about hiking in the mountain to have my mom decide she like the very first one she saw, but hey being away in the mountains and breaking out the Christmas tunes is what I enjoy)
- Pumpkin Cookies! (not a huge fan of pumpkin pie, but I'll eat pumpkin cookies till I have a food baby)
- Ending of Football start of Basketball (haha yes I love football way to much--we know that--I just love the final last crisp cold game of the season. Basketball never has been way exciting in my life...till high school--but really not till I became an Aggie and experienced the Spectrum Magic)
- Thanksgiving Feast (yes we have shrimp and crab cocktail, and yes it is the best around. I also love going around the room and hearing what everybody is thankful for. Oh can't forget about me getting a food baby then either, then going into a food coma--its pretty solid if you ask me)
- Black Friday Shopping (I JESSICA HATE SHOPPING. However, bless my mom's heart I went with her to pick me out a pair of boots. I mean in all reality if anyone is in need for some classic entertainment--I highly recommend sitting outside of VS, in Target, or any electronic place)
- Progressive Dinner (my dad's side of the family, goes to each house for a different course of the meal and I guess to see everybody's cmas decorations? However, I just love being with the family)
- Temple Square (it's just not the holidays unless you have that cliche temple pick am I right?)
- Piano Guys (for the past two years as a family we have gone to their concert. I love concerts and have been to many--however the three hour concert they put on is spectacular!)
- Grade Dinner (it used to be every quarter if we got good grades my parents would take us out to dinner, but being college students it's after the semester. Which is probably a good time, since I'm out of food anyways. Tepanyaki steak house treated our stomachs very well that evening)
- Work Party (my boss is the greatest, my coworker is the greatest and a girl night out is just what we needed)
- Baking (we have pumpkin, chocolate chip, Reese's peanut butter cup cookies, Oreo truffles, chocolate cinnamon bears, chocolate and caramel pretzels, homemade caramel and fudge---lets just say I think for at least the next week or so I will have a permanent food baby)
- Christmas Movies (can i quote the whole thing of Grinch, yes I can and it's "FABULOUS". But really Polar Express, Santa Clause, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, Elf, the list goes on and never gets old)
As you can see the past two months have been one for the record books and hopefully I get time to post about them...however, I am missing out on the biggest thing. The reason for the season. The LDS church this year starting a campaign/hashtag event (i don't really know what to call it), but it was all about Share the Gift--if you haven't seen it click HERE. This got me thinking of how I can share the gift not only for this Christmas season, but all year along. What can I do? Which then led me on to the question---if I had to give a gift to the Savior that I would give to him on Christmas morning, what would it be? I have pondered that question a lot and here are my thoughts and I guess my testimony along with it.
I thought about like what material things Christ might want..like maybe a new robe, or the newest electronic. I know it is pointless to think about that because he doesn't need any of that to make him happy. So that led me to, well what would make me happy this Christmas season as a gift. I thought about a new pair of boots, family time, etc. When it came down to it...the thing that would make me happiest of all, is if Christ knew that I loved him. He is the best gift I will ever receive and ever have received. (not to say my horse I got one year is still like close number one) But without Christ there would be no season. So I studied in the scriptures, prayed, and pondered on my gift to him.
Like I said above, I want Christ to know I love him. Truly love him. As we have been taught all he wants and asks from us is a broken heart and contrite spirit, to come unto him like a child. Submissive, meek, and humble etc. I want him to know that I am thankful for his atoning sacrifice, for the perfect example and life he lived, for his understanding and patience that he has with me. Lastly, I want him to know how thankful I am for him to be my brother and how excited I am to hopefully one day be in his presence and embrace. Jesus is the Christ. He is the reason we as a human race will wake in the morning and open as fast as we can the wrapped packages; he was the first gift. He is the reason why there is hope, peace, joy, and good will to all men. He is the reason for the season.
So going back to my comment about "my favorite time in the holiday's is Christmas Eve when I'm all snuggled in bed, by myself." Is because I get to remind myself of the greatest gift I have been given- Jesus Christ-- and because of him (as I look through pictures from the past year) I have been given so much. As the clock ticks and we all wake from our sleep (those who sleep that is) and rush into the Christmas spirit, I pray and hope we can remember why we celebrate Christmas. No gift will ever be greater then the gift the world received, when Jesus was born. I hope not only I can always remember that, but whoever has stuck with the post and has read to the end can as well.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!
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| The annual cmas tree picture with the sibilings |
