Christmas 2025

 

This year, we had a good Christmas. Eric came over around 9am, and we opened presents together. I think everyone was happy with the gifts they received. I know that I worked hard to try to make sure to buy things that Eric, Sean, Noel, and Chad wanted or needed. We also do a not-so-secret-Santa, and I think everyone did a good job finding something for the person they needed to buy for which was decided in a drawing of names on Thanksgiving. My favorite reaction of the day was Noel when she opened her ironing board. I got her a small tabletop ironing board that she could easily tuck under her bed or in her closet because she doesn't like mine when she is sewing. Who knew that was exactly what she was wanting. Eric seemed to be most excited about the Dune box set. He lost his love of reading in elementary school, but he has found it again now that he can really choose which books he reads. Sean was happy about the video games he opened, but he also got a chuckle out of the shirts I gave him. Chad was excited about the cookbooks he got because they are not only filled with recipes, they also have the historical content behind the recipes. One of them even has the historical recipe and modern recipe. I was most excited about getting Elenor Roosevelt's autobiography. After presents, we played Clue for a while and ate a roast dinner before we went our separate ways. (Eric went home. Sean and Noel went to their dad's house. Chad and I took a nap.) 

Christmas Day 24

 

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:10-14

Christmas Day 23

 “As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.” The Living Christ - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Christmas Day 22

 

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23

Learning New Things

Last week, I watched a YouTube video about developing a personal curriculum. The idea is that people are meant to continually learn throughout our lives. We don't have to follow a curriculum set by a school and pay the money required to do so. We can learn about anything from the resources provided by the library and online. After watching this, I got so excited that I sent the link to my husband and my sister. Chad texted me back a little while later asking me what I wanted to learn and when I wanted to get started. I decided that I want to relearn French and finally learn how to play the ukelele. 

I learned French in middle school and high school. I knew enough that my friend and I used to speak to each other in French when we didn't want my boyfriend (her friend) to know what we were talking about. They were simple conversations, but it was fun at the time. I wouldn't say I was fluent, but I was on my way there. Since then, I have not used French at all except a few phrases here and there. Because of this, I have lost almost all of the knowledge that I had in this subject. It is one of my biggest regrets. I am determined to relearn as much as I can over the next year. 

Me wanting to learn to play the Ukelele came about in a slightly odd way. In 2021, Chad and I were on our way to church, listening to the radio, when John Tesch chimed in with his "Intelligence for Your Life" segment. This one was about the power of music. I don't remember everything he said, but I do remember that he said the ukelele was the easiest instrument to learn. For Mother's Day that year, I asked for a purple ukelele and got one. I learned to play a few songs that summer, but I haven't played it since. I am going to learn more about it and learn more songs this year. Maybe I can be as musical as my kids. Who knows? 

Of course, we will continue the learning paths we have been on for the last few years. We have a concrete plan for our spiritual learning together. It is the actual curriculum provided by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, "Come, Follow Me." We have worked on it off and on separately and together every year since it started. We have committed with each other to study it each night we are home. I think this will elevate our spiritual study and bring us closer together. We, also, will continue to read our ever-growing pile of lifestyle/self-help books/biographies. Our interests haven't changed. We just want to have more directed learning. 

I'm excited to get started on learning and relearning skills that I have wanted to work on for a while. This coming year will be my year to do so!

Christmas Day 21

 

"And in despair I bowed my head:

“There is no peace on earth,” I said,

“For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men.”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

“God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men.”

Till, ringing, singing, on its way,

The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,

Of peace on earth, good will to men!"

~"I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" 

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Christmas Day 20

 "...we rejoice that He who was called from the beginning, He who was anticipated for centuries, He who was the Only Begotten of the Father, He came—in the meridian of time, in the humblest of conditions—He came. And because He came, the billions who have lived upon this earth will live again and may, if they choose, inherit eternal life, the greatest of all the gifts of God." ~Elder Neil L. Andersen

Christmas Day 19

 

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.” 3 Nephi 1:13

Christmas Day 18

 

"This Christmas, let us do more of what matters and much less of what doesn't. Let us seek to do the works of Jesus of Nazareth - lift up the sorrowing, heal the brokenhearted, visit the prisoners, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and give voice to the voiceless, the marginalized, the forgotten, and the despised." 

~Patrick Kearon

Hold On the Light Will Come (Book Review)

 At some point when I was growing up, my mom started listening to Michael McLean's music. I didn't really like it at the time. I think it was because it was my mom's music. When she died, I inherited her cassette tape collection by default. (I was the only one that wanted it for some reason.) I worked my way through each tape as I drove around as a way to connect to her. I ended up gravitating to Michael McClean more than any of the other artists for many reasons. 

Over the next few years, I was given a few more of his tapes that I truly enjoyed, and the person I was married to by this had more that I didn't have. As we switched over towards CDs, we included Michael McClean in the mix. He asked for "The Forgotten Carols" book and CD. His mom helped me find the special anniversary edition that year for Christmas. I loved listening to this CD as well as the others we collectively had for a while. When I was pregnant with Noel, his mom and I went to "Time Out for Women" and had the privilege of listening to Michael McClean speak and highlight this book. She bought it for him at the end of the conference. Lucky for me, one of the books left behind when that dude moved out was Hold On, the Light Will Come. (I wish he would have left "The Forgotten Carrols," as well.)

In October, I bought tickets to a production of "The Forgotten Carrols." (Unfortunately, it was canceled because they didn't sell enough tickets.) A few weeks after buying the tickets, I started reading this book, and I loved each chapter. 

"Hold On, the Light Will Come," is a book about Michael McClean's songs. Each chapter talks about a different song and why he wrote it. This unique format gives a peak into his life at the time he wrote the songs highlighted. After I read each chapter, I searched the songs on Spotify. I was able to listen to most of them giving a richer experience. (I wish the ex would have left the CD with all of the songs.) 

I loved everything about this book! You can judge me for taking so long to read it, but I took my time to enjoy each chapter. 

Christmas Day 17

When Christmas time is over and presents put away, don't be sad
There'll be so much to treasure about this Christmas day and the fun we've had
So may happy feelings to celebrate with you
And, oh, the good times hurry by so fast
But even when it's over there's something you can do to make Christmas last
Keep Christmas with you
All through the year
When Christmas is over
You can keep it near
Think of this Christmas day
When Christmas is far away
Keep Christmas with you
All through the year
When Christmas is over
Save some Christmas cheer
These precious moments
Hold them very dear
And keep Christmas with you
All through the year
Christmas means the spirit of giving
Peace and joy to you
The goodness of loving
The gladness of living;
These are Christmas too
So, keep Christmas with you
All through the year
When Christmas is over
Save some Christmas cheer
These precious moments
Hold them very dear
And keep Christmas with you
All through the year.   (Sesame Street)
 

Christmas Day 16

 

"I marvel that Jesus Christ, who created the earth under the direction of the Father, who had spoken with and inspired prophets and righteous sons and daughters of God throughout history, would soon condescend to come to earth as an infant." ~Susan H. Porter

Christmas Day 15

 

"In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness comprehend it not." ~John 1:4-5

Christmas Day 14

 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” ~John 14:27

Christmas Day 13

 

“Christmas is based on an exchange of gifts, the gift of God to man – His unspeakable gift of His Son, and the gift of man to God – when we present our bodies a living sacrifice.” ~Maya Angelou

Christmas Day 12

 “As we search for the Savior in all we do, Christmas won’t be just a day or a season but will be a condition of heart and mind, and the joy and love felt at Christmas will always be near. I testify that Jesus Christ, the infant born in Bethlehem, is in fact the Savior and Redeemer of the world” -Elder Ulissed Soaress

Christmas Day 11

 

“The shepherds were invited to come and see. They saw. They trembled. They testified. They rejoiced. They saw Him wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger, the Prince of Peace...” Marvin J. Ashton

Christmas Day 10

 

"God will not force His way into our lives or impose His gift upon us. Instead, He lets us choose to accept it. “Turn unto me,” He says, and then you will discover that not only has He already turned to you, but His arms of mercy are always extended."

~Timothy L. Farnes

Christmas Day 9

 

"And now I say unto you that the good shepherd  doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold..." ~Alma 5:60

Christmas Day 8

 

"At the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem angels did sing and, as prophesied, a new star did appear to light the sky, honoring the entrance of the Son of God into mortal life." ~ Henry B. Eyring

Christmas Day 7

 

"Over a billion people will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during this Christmas season. The whole world should do so. Even in worldly terms, Jesus of Nazareth is the most important person who ever lived. He is the principal subject of prophets and poets for over 6,000 years. He is the subject of the world’s greatest music and art. He is the greatest teacher who ever lived. Most important, He is the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father. He is the God to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is our Creator and Redeemer, the Savior and God of this world."

~Dallin H. Oaks

Christmas Day 6

 

"Christmas is a wonderful season of the year. As we commemorate the birth of our Savior, our hearts are attuned to what is most important in our lives." ~Dallin H. Oaks

Christmas Day 5

 

"Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas. And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness of that time that's set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God's gift of the Christ child." ~Amy Grant

Christmas Day 4

 

"...Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by name; thou art mine."

~Isaiah 43:1

Christmas Day 3

"Come unto me, O ye gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief.

Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you , from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you because of unbelief."

~Ether 4:13-14

Christmas Day 2

 

"And after many testimonies which have been given of him: That HE LIVES! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice that he is the Only Begotten of the Father-" ~ Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-23

Christmas Day 1

"Therefore, in the beginning the world was, for he was the World, even the messenger of salvation- The light and the Redeemer of the world: the spirit of truth, who came into the world, because the world was made by him, and in him was the life of men and the light of men."  -Doctrine and Covenants 93:8-9