Reasons #3, 2, and #1

Reason #3

Friends

It's always fun to be around friends this time of year. Go shopping, see movies, hang out. Friends are important and I am grateful to have them.

Reason #2

Family

I haven't really had an opportunity to spend much time with my family this Christmas season, but I do understand the importance of family, especially this time of year. It is after all the only thing we can take with us after this life. My family means a great deal to me and I am trying all that I can in my way to try and re-build those relationships that have been tarnished or damaged over the years. It's been difficult, but I am trying and will continue to try until we are all together as a family again.

Reason #1

The Savior

This is the reason we celebrate Christmas in the first place. I was watching A Charlie Brown Christmas last week and I love the part where Charlie asks what Christmas is all about and Linus tells him by quoting Luke 2:9-14...

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

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

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

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

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

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Charles Schwartz had some cajones, man! To animate a cartoon where you talk about the true meaning of Christmas and quote scripture. It is a sweet cartoon and it really does capture what Christmas is all about. It's so easy to forget about the true meaning of Christmas. At church on Sunday the choir put on the Christmas program. It was quite an interactive program because the congregation sang as well. We sang a lot of hymns! There were some of the Christmas hymns that we sang that I hadn't ever sung in church before. It was quite a treat to just be able to sing in church, just sing. My Mom, sister and nieces came to church with us on Christmas Eve. It was a nice service and it made me realize that I had been focusing this list of 25 things on some fun things, but maybe I shouldn't focus on just the fun things. Christmas is about family and friends being together and most importantly, the Savior that was born on that day. That is what I am most glad for at Christmas time. I am glad for the presents too, but I am mostly glad for my life and the relationships that I can take with me.