Leslie Weber began her lesson by sharing the story of the Grinch from Elder Holland's book Shepherds, Why This Jubilee? The Grinch learned that Christmas in Whoville wasn't all about the gifts he'd stolen from the villagers, and this is the lesson we all need to remember this season as well.
Leslie skedaddled behind the piano and emerged wearing her second choice for today's holiday dress: a dress covered with Post-it Notes reminding her of all the things she has to do to prepare for Christmas. She said the notes were even color-coded, so she'd know which things she has to tackle first. Sometimes that's how we look during the Christmas season: frazzled. But what are some things that you really enjoy about Christmas?
- Lights
- Music (especially that it's the same every year)
- Family time
- Food
- Feeling the Spirit
- People being nice to each other
Leslie said that once upon a time she taught a Sunday School class of teenagers. She asked them what their families did for Christmas that was Christ-centered. Only one person had something to share. She worries that it's too easy for families to lose Christ.
Melinda commented that Christ is in the background of a lot of what families do during Christmas. We just need to be better about explaining to our children why we do things because they won't know otherwise.
Leslie had several sisters share quotes from our prophets about how to keep Christ in Christmas.
Annette: Celebrate so that angels can join in.
Marilyn: Forget personal discord; make your Christmas heartfelt, but not boisterous. Be generous but not extravagant.
Melinda: Center your faith on God & gain peace. [Joseph F. Smith]
Cathy: Turn away from worldly cares. Seek eternal gifts. [Harold B. Lee]
Shauna: Christ gave the best gifts: vision to the blind, hearing to the deaf, hope to the downtrodden, etc. [Spencer W. Kimball]
Leslie shared the story of "Heavenly Father's Boxes." (Click here to read it.)
Amara played the guitar and sang a beautiful song that she wrote about Christmas when she was a newlywed in Georgia. She gave the song to her family and friends that year because she couldn't afford to give anything else. This year she gave the song to us. Thanks, Amara!
Ronda: Do you want to feel the true spirit of Christmas? Turn your heart to God & give thanks. Ask for His spirit as you strive to serve and keep the commandments. [Howard W. Hunter]
Alison: Take time for silent reflection on the Son of God. [Gordon B. Hinckley]
Valorie said that a friend of hers decided to keep Christmas to three gifts and called them gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Betsy said one of her favorite memories of Christmas with her children was lighting a candle and reading Christmas stories together by the fireplace. Her children have continued the tradition with their own families. Leslie recommended "The Best Christmas Pagaent Ever."
Someone else recommended reading "The Christmas Jar," collecting funds in a Mason jar, and a doing Christmas project with your children using the money you collected throughout the year/season.
Liz said her family loves to go to Temple Square and see the lights and feel the spirit of Christmas.
Annette reiterated that as we do things we should remember to point out things that symbolize Christ.
Leslie said her family has a Christmas box. Every year they open the box and discuss how they did with last year's Christmas present for Jesus and then put in a new goal for the upcoming year.
Annalece Weber came in dressed as a shepherd and sang a beautiful song about Christ from a shepherd's point of view.
President Monson has said that we need to prepare time for the Savior in our day and make room in our hearts for Him.
Leslie read a parable of a wealthy art collector. It's a great story. You can click here to read it yourself.
Julie Beck, the former general Relief Society president, said that as women, we are lionesses at the gates of our homes. What we value will be in our homes. As we approach Christmas, please remember all that the Savior has done for us and keep Him as what we value most about this season.
