o holy night

The crafter in me loves the Christmas season because of all the homemade goodness, the glitter, the wrapping, the salsa making, the red & green tulle, the pretty lights.

The organizer in me loves the shopping lists, the receipt keeping, the gift deciding & purchasing.

The child in me loves believing in Santa & not believing in calories from December 1-31st.

The mother in me can’t. wait. to see her babe’s shock & excitement when they discover their new treasures early Christmas morning.

The consumer in me really wants an ipod touch & an orange beach cruiser.

The spirit in me knows the real, legit meaning of Christmas.

***

Ever since I can remember, Brother Cox has sung O Holy Night in Lyn Rae Ward sacrament meeting, the week before Christmas. I enjoyed it every year growing up.

*So powerful.

Fast forward to this year. After six years of being married & living on my own, I find myself in Lyn Rae again, with a husband & two kiddos. We are blessed to be living with my parents while sorting out our career’s future. During the course of the last 12 months, I have often questioned why it was necessary for us to take this “backward” step. At first I felt like a big fat failure, but now I’m realizing there are reasons why we were led here. I’ve recently been making a mental list of all those blessings.

And Brother Cox’s number on Sunday is on that list.

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O'er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Christmas is such a magical, happy time. It can be such a stressful time too, if there isn’t enough money or resources to do the things that you want to do. I have felt both emotions this season.

As I listened to Brother Cox on Sunday, a simple picture came into my mind of that little stable in Bethlehem. And the baby Jesus who means so much to me.

I cried. [Imagine that.]

I left that meeting with a stronger testimony of Christ & his infinite love for us. “Our weakness is no stranger” …. “And in His name all oppression shall cease.”

I believe in Christ. I know that he was born among the humblest of circumstances, lived a perfect life, and then died for you & me, because he loves us. His mercy is sufficient for all.

The perfectionist in me has a hard time understanding His grace.

The human in me forgets sometimes.

But the spirit in me, knows the truth.

The real meaning of Christmas is Him.

“His power & glory ever more proclaim.”