CHRISTmas

"Brothers and sisters, this joyful season brings to all of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree to which we have turned our minds, feelings, and actions to the Savior, whose birth we celebrate." - President Monson

This quote really hit me during the First Presidency Christmas devotional this year. If you missed it, watch it here, I promise it will be well worth your time! But as Evan and I have been making some of our own traditions I have been trying to think of ways we can refocus Christmas in our home and make sure we are celebrating what its really about. I have been so amazed this Christmas season at all that has happened from the birth of that little baby, the Savior of the world.

Evan's family has a tradition that has been part of that refocusing and I couldn't be more excited to be a part of this year! On the Christmases when all the siblings are together, instead of getting each other presents, they adopt a family who otherwise wouldn't have Christmas and spend that money on them. What a perfect way to remember the Christ-like spirit we should have year round! Amy is in charge and splits up a list of things the family needs and wants between all the siblings and spouses. Evan and I were assigned clothes and shoes for two little girls. It took us a little bit of wandering to figure out what size "4T" meant but once we found the right place we had so much fun!

Evan picked out an outfit and shoes for the three year old girl and I picked them out for the four year old. I don't know if this was some strategy on Amy's part, but sending us shopping for baby clothes? Come on talk about a way to make you baby hungry!

Then, after a perfect celebration of the finish of our first semester as a married couple at the Cheesecake Factory, we headed to temple square to see the lights.



This is my favorite place in the whole world at Christmas time. I fully believe that Christmas lights are magic. But its more than that here. This is a place where the true spirit of Christmas couldn't be stronger. You can see it in the nativity's lit up all around the grounds, you can hear it in the hymns sung by the choirs, and you can feel it coming from the hearts of the missionaries who spend all night testifying of the Savior.







For the past few years I have really started studying the nativity and it absolutely fascinates me. In my home stake we have a tradition where the stake center is transformed every Christmas into a showcase of all the nativity scenes they can get their hands on. Each room has a theme, whether it is turned into a child's bedroom with little toy nativity sets, an international room with nativity sets form all around the world, or made to look like heaven with beautiful crystal and porcelain replicas of the night Christ was born. The thing I have come to love about nativity sets is that every part of it testifies of the divinity of Christ. The star, because he is the Light of the world. The wise men because he is the King of Kings. The shepherds because he is the Good Shepherd. The sheep because he is the Lamb of God. The gifts from the wise men, to represent the gift of the Atonement. As we sat in front of the Christus statue last night and thought about all that Christ means to us in our lives, I thought of all the angels who sang at his birth as they watch the way we celebrate Christmas today and just hoped I would be able to teach my children what its really about. If you have any traditions in your family or ideas for ours I would love to hear about them!



Comments

  1. I love this post and all of these pics! I am SO SAD I missed the lights this year, but thanks for your sweet post! Enjoy all your new Fox Family traditions! LOVE YOU!

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  2. I loved this post too! What sweet journal entries about your firsts together! Keep up the great work sweet girl! The pictures are beautiful and so are you and Evan! So excited about your lives together!!! I'm a big Fox Family Fan!

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