Silent Night

My mother has quite the skills when it comes to 'waterworks'. A talent she has most generously bestowed on her daughters. I didn't think I had it so bad when I was younger, but during the past months if I so much as see someone cry my eyes automatically respond by filling with tears. (Adam says it reminds him of a Disney cartoon when a helpless woodland creature's eyes slowly fill from bottom to top with a wall of water, complete with a quivering lower lip, then suddenly it's a downpour). To my dismay this superb skill has now expanded its original confines of Testimony Meeting, to music. I love music and I love to sing, and now find myself unable to finish any meaningful song. So long as I stick with Lady Gaga I'll be alright, but every time I travel to any of my favorites it's instantaneous waterworks! BlarG!


I was thinking about my family's traditions this evening and I can honestly say some of my favorite Christmas traditions surround my dear daddio. My dad is a gem. He is a stern, no frills kind of guy. However, this strong man is as tender as a teddy bear in the right setting. He taught high school German for over 30 years, all of my siblings have taken German at some point and 2 of us have even lived in Austria. On Christmas Eve after the games have been played and Santa has dropped in to say 'hello', we all sit around the Christmas tree and my dad sings 'Stille Nacht". We all join in (at least on the first verse). I love that spirit that surrounds us then. To an outsider we probably sound less than great, but to me it couldn't be farther from the truth. I look forward to that overwhelming, all inclusive, all consuming feeling of love, peace, and joy. It is tangible. It fills the air and my heart.


We taught the LDS primary song "Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus" a few weeks ago. I was unfamiliar with the song before then but this past Sunday, one of the speakers talked about Samuel; and I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude to these amazing prophets and disciples that came before Christ. Having complete faith and hope that the Savior of the World would be born! What glad tidings this is for all of us. I am not a scholar of the scriptures or even a regular reader as sad as it is to admit that. But I do know. I know without a shadow of a doubt that the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ, did come to earth, did suffer and die for us, and He prepared a way for us to be with Him and our loved ones forever.


I hope that all my loved ones will have peace and joy this Christmas.


Happiest Holidays!


loves.
-me