We once again participated in my favorite part of the Christmas Season: Light the World. We spent the first 25 days of December celebrating the life of Jesus Christ by following His example, striving to light the world in 25 different ways.
Capturing the purpose and meaning and beauty of all of it, Ryder said: "Christmas day is fun. But my favorite part happens in the days leading up to it. That is when I really feel Christ."
Bless you sweet boy. You have my whole heart.
Day 1: Freely ye have received, freely give (Matthew 10:8).
Each of the kids chose a gift to provide for Cherished Creations, a local organization that enriches and empowers the lives of seriously-ill and underprivileged children.
Day 2: I was thirsty and ye gave me drink (Matthew 25:35).
Today we wrote Christmas cards to our friends, bearing testimony of Jesus and expressing gratitude for the true meaning of this happy season. I trust Christ as my living water, and walking along side Him, I know I need never thirst.
Day 3: Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days (Matthew 12:12).
Choosing to keep the sabbath day holy will likely mean choosing to not participate in something else: sports games and swim meets, parties and pastimes, sleeping and shopping. But, with the stretch of that sacrifice comes a respite from the regular, a powerful peace, a higher hope, and a comfort in confidence. I ❤️ the gift of Sunday.
Day 4: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:39).
Today we dropped off treats to our neighbors. With family so far from us, we rely heavily on those in close proximity. Living on Lillian Court has taught us family means more than being bonded by blood. Family is friendships forged in carpool lines, the borrowing of eggs, the lighting of luminaries and backyard BBQs. Our lives are bettered by these ten houses that have made our street home
Day 5: Honour thy father and thy mother (Matthew 15:4).
Today we printed off individual family trees, then spent the afternoon discussing favorite memories of our grandparents. I was in awe at the interest my kids showed as I shared details of people who were so dear and influential in my life, yet they have never known. Understanding the connections of our ancestors is inspiring, motivating, and provides a sense of something bigger and something greater than self. Honoring our family history arms us with identity.
Day 6: Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1).
Tonight, while setting up our nativity, we discussed the significance of each figure, focusing specifically on the often misunderstood, the unwelcome and the lowly. The ox: symbolizing patience and strength. Necessary in the development of civilizations, providing great strength for agriculture and clearing land; represents a paving of the path for our Savior. The donkey: symbolizing strength, endurance and sure-footedness. Carried the pregnant Mary to Bethlehem and the peaceful Christ into Jerusalem; represents our personal endurance and sure-footedness as we sustain the gospel of Christ. The lamb: symbolizing innocence and purity; represents Christ’s earthly mission as the ultimate sacrificial offering. The camel: symbolizing endurance and prized for it’s ability to travel far distances. Delivered the wise men from the East; represents Christ’s message being delivered to many far, distant lands. What an injustice it would be to disregard these animals, each holding a sacred role on that holy night. Similarly, what a shame it is for us to judge, overlook and disregard those around us: the misunderstood, the unwelcome and the lowly. Tonight we committed to be better; to look at others with the same loving eyes we hope Christ sees us. Eyes that see only potential.
Day 7: Suffer the little children to come unto me (Mark 10:14).
Sometimes I need to be reminded to slow down and see my children: Reminded to tousle their hair and stroke their cheek. Reminded to hear their voice and survey their smile. Reminded of who they are and where they came from.
From one of our favorite books we read today:
“Remember, this all began with a child. Because it took nothing but love to begin it, it’s really not Christmas if love isn’t in it.” Today I am grateful for that tender admonishment and an afternoon spent snuggling and storytelling and seeing.
Day 8: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44).
Our household is often guilty of trading kindness with competition, compliments with criticism and patience with petulance. We offer our worst self to the people we cherish most. Today we turned our focus to favorite traits found in one another, with a serving of sushi on the side.
Some of the qualities we admire most in:
Allen: playful, helps with homework, young at heart, imaginative, nice
Erica: empathetic, bakes treats, fashionable, party animal, joyful
Ryder: ambitious, Christlike, plays on the trampoline with me, good friend, attentive
Linley: plays dolls with me, confident, creative, hard worker, sincere
Tessa: hangs out with me, observant, enthusiastic, unique, loving
Eden: energetic, happy, has pizazz, curious, determined
Day 9: I was naked and ye clothed me (Matthew 25:36).
We spent our snowy morning cleaning out closets in hope of harboring warmth for others.
Day 10: Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life (John 5:39).
Tonight we had dinner with our darling Sister Missionaries. We fed their tummies, but they fed our hearts and our souls with the sweet savor of the scriptures.
Day 11: I was a stranger and ye took me in (Matthew 25:35).
This morning, before we separated to our various destinations, we challenged ourselves to find ways we could show kindness to strangers and those we have yet to establish a firm friendship. After school, the kids were eager to express all the ways they had extended sweetness: using treat money to buy cookies for someone who was sitting alone, letting others shuffle in front of them in line, helping a shy student with homework, returning carts at the grocery store and giving up their prized seat. The most rewarding has been watching them continue kindness at home. In this time when terror and hate have emerged the regular, I find such inspiration in the simple lyrics of one of my favorite children’s songs:
“ I want to be kind to ev’ryone,
For that is right, you see.
So I say to myself, “Remember this:
Kindness begins with me.”
Day 12: Blessed are they that mourn (Matthew 5:4).
Today we discussed symptoms of sadness. The list was long: loss and loneliness, disease and destitution, hunger and humiliation, lack of home and loss of hope. But, the antidote is short: love. Love through listening, through serving and through prayer. We visited rescue.org and donated to provide safe passage for families fleeing a fearful yesterday and education for girls begging a brighter tomorrow. Today we loved.
Day 13: All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them (Matthew 7:12).
This morning we each thought of something that would bring an added measure of joy to our day. Then, we determined to do that very thing for someone else. The kids expertly executed their plans. I, however, failed miserably. When the 5pm sibling screaming session started, my day’s resolve to refrain from yelling dissipated and I joined right in. Today I am grateful for a little 8 year old girl who perceives the golden rule far more proficiently than her impatient mother. She forgave freely and hugged tightly. She gladly gave me joy.
Day 14: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21).
Today we honored our teachers. Theirs is an endless service of patience, kindness and love. Not only do they spend their days filling my children’s minds with math facts and science figures, they teach my children confidence because they are respectful. They teach independence because they are supportive. They teach enthusiasm because they are accessible. They teach ambition because they are assertive. Teachers selflessly spend their days focused on my tiny, whiny humans. Their heart carries crayons and sits (never still) behind a miniature desk. Today, those tiny hearts treasured their twinkling teachers
Day 15: Blessed are the merciful (Matthew 5:7).
There is a four-letter “F” word that is absolutely prohibited in this household: F-A-I-R. If fair means all things must be equal, then there is no cause for mercy, and without mercy, we are all hopeless. But, if instead of tirelessly keeping score, we exercise our energy anticipating opportunities to serve and extend mercy, then we create a leveled likelihood of satisfying all of our needs, allowing for an even greater abundance of energy to offer. It’s a cycle of happiness. Today, we looked for ways to ensure life was not fair. Letting the baby win all of the card games. Cleaning the shared bedroom. Opting for the smaller piece of dessert. In every instance of inequality was a moment of mercy. And a highlight of happiness.
Day 16: I was sick and ye visited me (Matthew 25:36).
We spent our morning Christmas sing-songing and cheer-spreading with this adorable group of warm and wise. Today’s joy was tangible.
Day 17: Ye shall meet together oft (3 Nephi 18:22).
All of us together in the same place at the same time during the week requires a super heroic feat. And sadly, I’m no Batman. But, on Sundays, it’s just us. I look forward all week to finding these people in my kitchen, meeting together for memories (and lots of munchies). On Sundays, we commit to us❤️
Day 18: Forgive men their trespasses (Matthew 6:14).
Today we thought of someone (or several someone’s) whose awesome we don’t appropriately appreciate. Then, we listed all the qualities we admire in that person. Turns out, the most agitating attributes become minor when we shift focus to the caliber of character.
Day 19: Rejoice and be exceeding glad (Matthew 5:12).
I adore this admonition to accept a higher happiness; to be delighted, elated and overjoyed. As we discussed sources of gladness, we determined it most often captured in moments shared. Today we gave back to our gladness gifters. And rejoiced in friendship.
Day 20: A man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth (Luke 12:15).
To ensure we are keeping these last magical days of Christmas centered on the gifts of Christ, we are relinquishing our greatest distractions until we celebrate the day of His birth. These vary greatly, from day-trading crypto currency to maneuvering Roblox, and time spent on Netflix to time spent on texting. But our hope is the same: by eliminating the overvalued unimportant we will remember to cherish the disparaged essential.
Day 21: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat (Matthew 25:35).
As we tromped all over New York City tonight, our blessings became glaringly apparent. We only need think about food when our tummy grumbles, and we open a filled fridge. Our lives are not without worry or trial, but our basic needs are always met. Today we donated to help provide food, help, and hope to the 1 in 7 children in New Jersey who are food insecure.
Day 22: That which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do (3 Nephi 27:21).
Tonight we contemplated characteristics of Christ we admire most (charitable, forgiving, gentle, brave, kind, undiscriminating, selfless, capacity to love) and opted one of these enviable attributes to individually improve in our effort to more fully emulate our Savior this merry season.
Day 23: I was in prison and ye came unto me (Matthew 25:36).
Today we reflected on those who have come unto us when we felt trapped by trial, imprisoned by pain or locked by loneliness. We quickly realized our lives are strewn with God’s fingerprints, touched by those He has put in place to act as His arms when hugs are crucial, His shoulder when heads need resting, and His hands when service is requested. We took a moment to write a letter of thanks to these earthly angels who felt a prompting to help, and hearkened.
Day 24: Ye must watch and pray always (3 Nephi 18:15).
As we re-enacted the nativity tonight, I was struck by the act of seeing: before their visit of angels, shepherds were keeping watch over their flock by night; awake and engaged. The wise men approach Herod asking, “Where is he that is born King of the Jews, for we have seen his star in the east;” looking and studying. Tonight, on our knees, we offered up prayers of gratitude. We have spent the last 24 days looking and watching, learning and studying, and we have been overwhelmingly blessed by the Spirit of that same baby the shepherds worshipped in a manger and the wise men traveled to welcome. These last 24 days we have been engaged enablers of Christ, and in return, our lives have wondrously been filled with light⭐️✨
Day 25: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe in Him. But more importantly, I believe Him. I believe he perfectly loves imperfect me. I believe He suffered to save me. I believe He died to give me life. I believe He knows me and He understands me, He hears me and He surrounds me. He celebrates my joys and He mourns my sorrows. I believe my load is lightened when I beg my burdens upon Him. I believe all that I am, all that I know, and all that I cherish is because of Him, is by Him, and is of Him. I believe Jesus Christ is God’s greatest gift to me and to all of mankind. Jesus is our Savior. He is our Redeemer. He is our friend. He is love. He is life. He is peace. He is hope.
