The Lost Spirit

One day I was sitting in my living room looking at the lights on the tree and wondering how to get more of Christ into our Christmas. My kids think too much about the presents on all these religious holidays and it bothers me. Yes, I know they are young, but it still bothers me. So I started looking around and I saw something.

First off, I love my tree. Yes it will never be featured in a magazine but it means a lot to me.A lot of my ornaments are homemade by family and friends from when my husband and I were going to get married. The tree is from my niece and the Santa from a client of mine (I used to work with people with disabilities).My friend put cute bows on a bunch of these cooking pig ornaments. She knew I that I love pigs.So as I am hanging them up it always warms my heart and I have wonderful memories of the amazing people that have touched my life. Like this one. My sister made them with two of my kids hand prints that were then made to snowman. They are one of my favorite ornaments on the tree. And when I see them they will always remind me of what a wonderful sister I have and how much I love her.So I am still thinking of how to teach these special angels that have been put into my care about the true meaning of Christmas.I look some more and notice I have a lot of stuff that is "commercial", as one sister would say.And this cute one likes the commercial aspect of it all. He HATES the stories of Jesus when he knows they are Jesus stories. When he found out I was going to be telling a story about the birth of Jesus tonight he groaned. (This is how he dressed for our ward Christmas party. He chose to wear the tie but whenever someone commented he would put his hands up to cover it. It was very cute.)And then some more commercial decorations.I do have A TON of Santa decorations. But these are from my mother-in-law and mean a lot to us because they came from her.So I had an idea of maybe how to at least help bring more of the Spirit into our Christmas.A family member of mine buys a new Nativity every year. This is one she got this year. I LOVE it. It is so beautiful.And this is one of hers also. I don't know why, but I just love it.So this year I have an idea for a Nativity that I want to make. A simple one with wood blocks and stickers, but the kids can play with it. And that is a good thing. :) And I hope to add more in the coming years and less of Santa.

So as I tell the story of the birth of Jesus tonight, I hope that somehow I can get a small spark into my children about what it really is all about. And hopefully next year it will be about Our Saviour and less about the man in the red suit.

P.S. I saw a picture once of Santa bowing down in front of the Nativity scene. It was very beautifully done. If anyone finds it, feel free to get it for me. he he. Or just let me know where I can get it. I know it has Santa in it but it just felt amazing when I saw it. And if you have any ideas, let me know.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Tsk, tsk, tsk

Mary has frequently been seen cruising in the house lately. It is not a problem as far as I can see. I am sure Joseph is at the stable taking care of baby Jesus. My problem came today when she repeatedly went over the red line which you see behind her. We recently put up that line to show to our toddler who thinks the kitchen is his domain. Our rule is that they cannot go over the red line. Mary unfortunately repeatedly kept going over the line today even after she was told not too.Of course she pointed her finger at her accomplice when I questioned her.And how is Joseph and Baby Jesus during all this? You tell me! The stable is empty except for one lone Wise Man. And he had no idea where they were. Upon further inspection I was unable to locate the rest of the party. I will fill you in on there where abouts and what they have been doing later. If they can be found........

Yeah I was right!

An old picture but I just like Butterball's face as he looks at Appleseed.

I have always said that up in Heaven I would no longer be allergic to fish as I love it and miss it. But my sister keeps telling me that their is no food in Heaven. I keep telling her that on my world there will be because I love it so much. And now I have the proof that their is food in Heaven! Last night I was telling my kids the story of Abraham and the town of Ur. It was when the people of Ur suffered a famine for their behavior. I was explaining to them what a famine was and Butterball said, "Jesus have a microwave. And a driving car cart." So there you go. I am excited! Yeah!

Buds

Now I know Butterball is friends with Jesus and they are pretty tight, but I think he misunderstood something that Jesus had said. We were getting ready to walk across the street when I asked him to stop and look for cars. He said, "I don't have to cuz Jesus say I don't have to look for cars." I said,"What?" He said, "Jesus say I don't have to look for cars. He my new paphet." I said, "Jesus did not say that and yes you do have to look for cars!"