Ponderosa Ward Christmas Party 2011

What a great Ward Christmas party 2011 was!

We had a beautiful program full of talented kids who were singing, acting and smiling big.

Amazing food prepared by amazing women!

I love when our ward comes together to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

The bishop mentioned tonight that the reason we act out the story of the Savior's birth is because no one else will, and the story is so special that we need to remember it and have this sweet reminder.

I know that there are many churches who act out the nativity each Christmas season. There are many who light up their buildings, have Christmas programs and Christmas masses. I love that ALL Christians love the Savior. HE IS the reason for the season, just like the saying says. I love the way I feel when I slow down and think about the story.

When I think about Mary and how young and sweet she must have been. She didn't have a lifetime of experience to go on when she began to raise the Son of God. She hadn't been a mother before. They grew together. It must have been humbling to witness her child grow spiritually and physically right before her eyes. As she looked at that small baby, that busy toddler and that intelligent child...what was she thinking?

Did she question herself everyday to know if she was doing a good job? Did she wonder what she was supposed to teach him and how? Did Joseph feel inadequate as his stepfather, knowing that God knew everything and could certainly excel far beyond his mortal capabilities? Did both Mary and Joseph pray continually for guidance and then follow the Spirit in even the simplest of matters? Did Mary's mind drift off to the future and picture her boy a man, who would die for everyone? Or did she push those thoughts to the deepest corners of her mind and soak in every bit of her special child?

When she mothered her other children, did she feel like she loved them just as much as her first? Did she feel like she was so blessed to have this perfect child to be an example to his half siblings?

So many questions...I would ask her tonight.

Are mine similar?

Am I raising my children the way God would want his children raised that he has entrusted to me? Am I doing everything I should?

I think the answer would be similar to what he would have told Mary.

Love them. Every one. Every moment.

Ask me for help in everything that you do. Be worthy of my Spirit everyday. Tell them, I love them, and can't wait for them to return home. The sacrifice of time, energy, and everything else is worth it if you could see what I see.

I love this season.

I love this child we honor and his sacrifice for each of us.

May each of us love a little more. Forgive a little more. And look to him a little more.

Merry Christmas!