Christmas Talk

Last Sunday, Boo and I were assigned to give talks as part of our ward's Christmas service and as a kind of goodbye to our fellow friends in the ward. But seeing as how Mother Nature took over early Sunday morning our church cancelled all of its meetings. Needless to say my Christmas talk was for naught. So I thought I would post mine onto the blog to share with a broad audience. I did share it with the crowd we had dinner with later on Sunday night. Keep in mind that its rather short given that the choir planned to take up a large portion of the meeting. So this was my six minute talk. (I'd post Boo's talk but he wouldn't even share it with the post dinner crowd, so I'll leave it up to him to decide.)

Christmas evokes different images for everyone. Some think of silvery white yards decorated with plastic Santas and festive lights. Others may think of family come and gone, large feasts, or that favorite gift. My Christmas memories begin to swirl as I start thinking of my Christmas lists, lines at the post office and any dreaded traveling. Best described as a catatonic state; characterized by muscular rigidity and mental stupor, sometimes alternating with great excitement and confusion.

As a child our two day celebration went as follows:
Go to grandparent’s house for Christmas Eve party with Dad
Dad delivers us to Mom’s where we read the Christmas story from the New Testament, open one gift before going to bed and pile all four kids into one room so that Mom has ample space to spread out her workshop to finish any gifts or sewing projects.
We’d wake up at some dreadful hour and yell from the other room “Can we come out yet?” as if we might self destruct the minute we cross the threshold. Being the youngest I was usually sent out on covert missions to inspect what Mr. Claus had left and return and report on my findings, only to ruin my sister Rebekah’s big Christmas surprise of a Ken doll she’d asked Santa for.
Around 7:00am we usually emerged to our tree lit living room to begin our day. By 8:00am we would call Dad to let him know we were ready to be picked up and continue the day’s journey. We would hop around from one place to the next, opening gifts and enjoying them only long enough for them to get lost and have to leave.

After getting married not many things changed. Ryan and I found ourselves setting an alarm to get up early enough so we could spend some time together before starting the day. By the third or fourth Christmas we had it down to a science; we’d allot a set amount of time to each set of parents as not to “dine and dash” but so that we felt we were giving equal amounts of time to everyone.

Christmas was loosing its spirit, or had I never really had it to begin?

For our last Christmas as Utah residents, Ryan and I organized a Sub-for-Santa for one of my Sunbeam’s family. He was the youngest of three boys being raised by his dad who was doing the best he knew how. Luckily for Ryan and me we had friends who rallied around and made it more than a kind gesture, but more of a miracle. It was a lesson in charity and truly brought us great joy to see people who showed their gratitude through their humble actions the following Sunday at church.
King Benjamin prophesied of Christ’s advent and ministry in this manner:
“For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles…” (Mosiah 3:5-8)
Born into circumstances that were unconventional, birthed in a stall surrounded by animals, yet his purpose on this Earth was beyond the comprehension of all living things. Christ’s birth was a miracle.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King! Let ev’ry heart prepare him room, And Saints and angels sing. (“Joy to the World,” Hymns, number 201)

Besides the hustle and bustle of Christmas day, I usually enjoy putting out our Christmas decorations and setting up my tree. I have a system, and as long as Ryan brings the boxes down from the attic he doesn’t have to help, which he enjoys. I put out our nativity and I rearrange all the characters as I imagine it might have been on the night of Christ’s birth. Then I rearrange them again, because I don’t think the “wise men” made it there fast enough to have a front row seat. But after 20 or so days of decorations, just before Christmas I’m usually ready to put it all away. I think to myself, “My heart is not in this.”
President Hinkley reminds that:
“Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful.
It is peace. It is the peace which comforts, which sustains, which blesses all who accept it.
It is faith. It is faith in God and His Eternal Son. It is faith in His wondrous ways and message. It is faith in Him as our Redeemer and our Lord.” – President Hinkley, Dec 1997
What peace sustains us through the holidays? Or better yet through the year?

When I think of peaceful Christmas nights, I’m reminded of my Santa-suit-wearing Dad, who equally possesses the same decorating vigor as Clark Griswold, sitting in a dimly lit living room longingly gazing at the lights on the Christmas tree, listening to Christmas hymns and carols. I’m not sure what he’s thinking about. Maybe his lists of people to buy for and the stops he’ll be making on Christmas day. Whatever it is, I sometimes imagine that maybe he’s thinking about what it may have been like the night the Savior was born. Or what it might be like if our world really could have peace and joy. For a single moment he has found peace in the season.

While searching for my own peace and joy – or was it peace and quiet, I can’t be sure? I could hear in the background some music from the single Christmas CD that has yet to be packed.

“The Child, the Child, sleeping in the night He will bring us goodness and light He will bring us goodness and light”

I thought for maybe the first time how profound these words are. “He will bring us goodness and light.” Christ has and does bring goodness and light. Christ’s light shines in many of those around us. We have received his goodness and light though friendships, dinners and helping hands.
Christ’s goodness has manifest recently in the blessings our family has received. Christ’s goodness is what brings me peace this holiday season.