My Christmas Eve Thoughts

I always thought that Christmas was supposed to be a happy and wonderful time of the year. Why is it that as the years go by, this time of year seems to get more and more tense? Are we so involved in shopping for all the right gifts that our children, grandchildren and spouses want, that we forget the true reason for celebrating Christmas? I don't know about you, but for me, I think it is time to slow down, read the true Christmas story (not the red bb gun and leg lamp story), and realize that there is no greater gift than the gift of our Heavenly Father's Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

I am tired of all the hustle and bustle. It's time for some great Christmas movies, those with the true meaning and spirit of Christmas that should abound in the world. If I could have one fantastic Christmas present, it would be to let me stay in a room all by myself with a fantastic Christmas book to read, one that will really touch my heart. Let me turn off my cell phone and those who call can wait till tomorrow to text and ring my phone. Then, give me a TV with a DVD player so I can watch all my Hallmark Christmas movies while crocheting in a nice easy chair. Bring me my meals, and then, let me sit and ponder the love of my Savior. He is the one who truly understands me, loves me no matter what, and comforts me through all the trials in my life.

What can I do for him? How do you repay someone who gave up their life for you? The only answer I have is to try everyday to be more like Him, to have that kind of Christlike love that no matter what someone says to you or does to you, you love them and you serve them. When Christ was brutally abused before they crucified Him, He never said "Well, I am not giving up my life for you because you have been so devastatingly mean to me." He said on the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Isn't that the true meaning of Christmas? You sacrifice, you give, and you love.

That true meaning is becoming lost more and more as the months and years go by. All we can do is try our very hardest with true devotion to our Savior to emulate his life and remember Him.

And that is what I am going to try to do these next couple of days. I hope I can be successful and say at the end of this week, I truly tried to do my best to be more like Him.