If You Are Cringing At My Christmas Post, Then I Wrote It For You

You probably saw this floating around Facebook recently and chuckled to yourself as I did because we all know that one person or department store(s) that comes to mind, right??  I think I even 'liked' this picture on several of your pages. We aren't even halfway through October and the aisles are already being set up for Christmas. The mummy's haven't been able to gather dust yet! Therefore, I am writing a post on Christmas, because I decided...I was wrong.  What I learned this week is two negatives DO make a positive.  I was irritated about the Christmas decor and memes coming out so soon, and then I realized yesterday I was also irritated subconsciously that apparently we don't do it enough. Confused yet?  Welcome to my poor husband's life. Read on... Every Monday we do family night where a member of our family prepares a spiritual lesson to share with the rest of the family or we all study a lesson and share what we each got out of it.  Last night, Nathan was in charge and decided to show us a short Christmas video.  Immediately, I was slightly annoyed because I thought he went for the easy out by picking a Christmas video...that he didn't take the time to research something else.    The video was about giving gifts to the Savior, rather than receiving gifts or buying gifts for others.  Immediately after Nathan says, "Okay, Mom, what did you learn from that?" I hesitated for a minute  because I knew he wasn't going to like what I had to say since the video irritated me as I watched it more than it got me into the Christmas spirit.  I was irritated because it was based around Christmas. After understanding the message of it, I questioned why couldn't this have been done around Valentine's Day, a Birthday, or even an Anniversary for that matter.  The same message applies.  Why do we only associate when we should be giving something of ourselves to Jesus Christ only at Christmastime? I saw the stunned and worried look on his face that his fantastic lesson idea may have backfired, so I went on to explain... Christmas is generally a magical time of year and I don't believe it is due to the decor, the holiday sales, Santa Clause or the gifts.  Symbolically, these things can lead our thoughts to why Christmas exists.  Think of how many individuals are singing and listening to Christmas carols during the month of December...they are singing and hearing testimony of Him.  Think of how many are volunteering at shelters, hospitals, nursing homes, or serving their neighbors and friends...they are serving as He would and being His hands to many in need.  Holiday shows and movies typically have messages of hope, love, and charity...messages He taught and continues to teach for our hearts to be touched so we can become better.  Christmastime is magical simply because of the light of Christ that is in the hearts, minds, and eyes of individuals.   People are generally happier, more hopeful, kinder, more giving as well as forgiving during Christmas.  So why should this be only a once a year occurrence?   If you know an individual who is full of joy and happiness and has a light about them, then you know, generally, these are individuals who demonstrate hope, love, kindness, charity, and forgiveness on a regular daily basis-regardless of the date.  Therefore, if you want to be happier and have more joy in your life then put these Christmas practices into action more consistently. The message Nathan shared was perfect, so perfect that I'm saddened so many feel or experience it only once a year.  So to all you early Christmas goers:  If decorating, listening to carols, and watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas can give you reminders of where to find joy and happiness and likewise give you the desire to serve your fellowmen with kindness and charity---then by all means--decorate, sing, and watch because now more than ever, our world needs it.  I applaud you for seeking for it. I am grateful for Nathan and his childlike humbleness to bring a Christmas message at a random time of year and all children for that matter who do such a better job of consistently typifying of Christ than most adults.