Christmas Symbols Remind Us of Our Savior

SYMBOLS OF CHRISTMAS

The Colors of Christmas-red and green

                                                                
Red- the first color of Christmas symbolizing the Savior’s sacrifice for all (the blood he shed for us)

Green - the second color of Christmas. It represents the eternal life that He offers us

Christmas Tree – Why aren’t Christmas trees apple trees or oak trees? They are always evergreen which symbolizes everlasting life. The needles point heavenward.

Wreath – most wreaths are evergreen which also symbolizes eternal life and they are always round to represent that God’s love has no beginning or no end.

Star – the star the Wisemen followed to find Baby Jesus. It is a heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ago—the shining hope of all mankind.


Angels – the angels that announced Jesus’ birth


Bells – They ring out to guide lost sheep back to the fold—signifying that all are precious in the
eyes of the Lord


Tree Topper –points to Heaven where Jesus Christ is alive today


Christmas Ball Ornament – traditional Christmas tree ornaments are round
symbolizing that God has no beginning or ending and also symbolizing the
earth (God created the earth and loves everyone on the earth)


Gift Bow – Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill and love forever


The Candle – A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the star of Bethlehem as well as
Jesus Christ, the Light of the World.


Lights – to remind us that Jesus is the Light of the World


Gifts – The gift of our Savior that Heavenly Father gave to us, and the gifts the Wisemen gave to Jesus Christ.


Nativity Set – depicts the real Christmas and helps us to remember Christ came for us personally

Christmas Stockings came about through a story of the real Santa Claus
Santa Claus was a real man. He lived about 400 years after Jesus. He was the Bishop of a church. He loved Jesus. Bishop Nicholas had a friend that had three daughters, but they could not get married because their father did not have the money for their dowries. So late one night, in secret, Bishop Nicholas threw three bags of gold into their living room. The bags landed in socks that were drying by the fireplace (thus the tradition of stocking hung by the fireplace). Later the Catholic Church made Bishop Nicholas a saint, making him Saint Nicholas. The Santa Claus that we know today in America is a result of Clement Moore’s poem, The Night Before Christmas, written in the mid-1800s. This description of Santa Claus was expanded upon by Coca-Cola in an advertising campaign in the early 1900s.


Candy Cane- The shepherds crook, used to bring lams back into the fold—a reminder that we are our brother’s keeper.


Another meaning is found in this story: A candymaker in Indiana wanted to make a candy that would be a witness, so he made the Christmas Candy Cane. He incorporated several symbols for the birth, ministry, and death of Jesus Christ. He began with a stick of pure white, hard candy--White to symbolize the Virgin Birth and the sinless nature of Jesus, and hard to symbolize the Solid Rock, the foundation of the Church and firmness of the promises of God. The candy maker made the candy in the form of a “J” to represent the precious name of Jesus, who came to earth as our Savior. It could also represent the staff of the “Good Shepherd” with which He reaches down into the ditches of the world to lift out the fallen lambs who, like all sheep, have gone astray. Thinking that the candy was somewhat plain, the candymaker stained it with red stripes. He used three small stripes to show the stripes of the scourging Jesus received by which we are healed. The large red stripe was for the blood shed by Christ on the cross so that we could have the promises of eternal life. Unfortunately, the candy became known as a candy cane, a meaningless decoration seen at Christmas time. But the meaning is still there for those who “have eyes to see and ears to hear.” I pray that this symbol will again be used to remind us of Jesus Christ and His great love.

Swallows Asking for Help from a Man

Matthew 6:26  Behold the fowls of the air:  for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feedeth them . . .

Faith is trusting that God is mindful of us and is watching over us.  He makes it so that everything will be okay in the end, if we just believe and follow His son, Jesus Christ.  A beautiful example of a small miracle reminds me He is there and sometimes it is through others He takes care of our needs.

My husband's golf buddy related a special experience with the many swallows nesting in his barn.  Last week, he drove into his driveway and was greeted by a flock of swallows swooping down toward him as he stepped out of his car.  He thought how nice of the birds to greet him so enthusiastically.  They flew back to the barn and came up to him again as he walked to the house.  His heart was happy to receive another greeting.  As he pulled open the door to go in, this flock swooped down again and flew back to the barn. He then realized they were trying to get his attention.  Going directly to the barn and opening the door, he discovered that magpies were trying to kill the baby swallows!  He scared the magpies away and saved the baby birds.  After securing the barn so only the swallows could get in, he contemplated the wonders of nature and the dependency we all have at times for help from others.

I marvel to hear such a story.  It reaffirms that God watches over the whole earth and His creations in it.

Tweet This and Cheer Up the World

A complaining Crow or Raven (just like me)?  On a wall in Miami, Florida

Lately, I've been feeling sorry for myself with being ill and in pain.  Yes, I can look around and see people totally disabled or having much worse illnesses than I, but still, my struggles are my own.  I won't even apologize for currently NOT being thankful for having lesser problems than other suffering folks.

This morning I woke up to the sound of birds chirping and singing their merry tunes.  I use the word "merry" because birds almost always sound happy (unless they are screeching or scolding).  The sounds of the birds immediately made me feel chipper (smile).  Why is it that birds have this power to cheer us up?  There is something especially hopeful about little creatures going about their everyday business chirping, tweeting, and singing.  It seems to me that God provided a way for birds to serve humankind in their simple but marvelous way.   

When I hear a person whistling, it elevates my mood in the same way as hearing the birds.  I know some people whistle because of nervous habit and it drives others nuts, but for me, when people imitate the birds by whistling, I immediately think they are enjoying life even if all they are doing is whistling while they work and thinking of other things.  Think how cheerful the song, "Whistle While You Work" makes you feel--play it here:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE1LsYATBRY

 Written by Frank Churchill; lyrics by Larry Morey (from "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs").

Speaking of human songs, most people are familiar with the song, "I Whistle a Happy Tune,"  from The King and I (music by Oscar Hammerstein; lyrics by Richard Rodgers).  It reinforces what I believe is intricate to the human experience--music employs our senses and affects our moods.  It has great power for good.  That is why God gave humans and birds the ability to spread happiness through songs and sounds.

 Recently, a post on Facebook caught my attention.  You may be able to find the song by searching online.  The link I had posted is no longer available.  It is a beautiful.  Go whistle a happy tune!

Having Enough

Everywhere online or out shopping in the stores I see things I want but don't need.  There's always something new to wrench cash from my purse.  When and how do we draw the line on accumulating?  This week has been an eye-opener about the inequality of the ownership of things and I have suddenly become very grateful for the things I already have and enjoy.  Most of us have so very, very much.  We, middle-class folks, are wealthy compared to many others in this world.  Three articles and a first-hand experience this week shook me into recognizing some other people don't have the comforts of life I take for granted.

First, I read an article in a magazine about a young man from Sudan.  He spent 12 years in a refugee camp before gaining the opportunity for an education in the U.S.  He lived in a jungle with nothing but the clothes on his back for much of his early life.  Worldly goods were of no concern to his people as no one owned anything.  All that was needed was enough food, water, warmth, and to keep from being killed.  Love would have been nice too, but the young man got separated from his family.  He had nothing and no one.

Second, an article in the newspaper tells of a disabled woman driving her motorized wheelchair four hours to get a few groceries at a local food bank.  Many people with disabilities go to the same food bank for food.  They often cannot carry all of their groceries and must leave some behind.  Some of the people have problems walking or getting on and off buses.  Their lives are spent trying to survive day-to-day challenges while I can just hop in my car and get whatever I want with no problem whatsoever.

Third, American Indians living on a reservation have never had running water or electricity.  The newspaper article tells how some homes are finally getting electricity after generations of tribes struggling to do ordinary everyday household chores and cooking.  Many of the homes on reservations have no convenient appliances that most people in America enjoy and never think about--like toasters, microwaves, and refrigerators. Think about what it would be like to camp out all of your life.  Keeping warm and eating would require much labor, not to mention washing clothing and cleaning the house.  Imagine reading and working by the light of kerosene lamps.

Last, but not least, I saw hundreds of people outside the homeless shelter in Salt Lake City this week.  The weather was beautiful that day, but it probably isn't so comfortable when it is cold and wet.  Most assuredly there are tales of need, pain, and sorrow behind the hardened or worry-laden faces.  Lest we judge why those people are in dire circumstances, not all their problems have been brought on by themselves.  Most of the homeless people own only what they can carry in their backpacks or put into a shopping cart.

These are only four examples that put my abundant life into perspective and my desire for more to shame.  I have so very much!  Perhaps my wanting should be for them and not myself.  Somehow I must put energy, action, and means into having less and helping others without to get more of what they need.

Sure, that purse is SO cute.  I just don't gotta have it.

A Little Bird Told Me

Luke 12:6   Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, 
and not one of them is forgotten before God?

Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
 Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

• An extraordinary blessing came to me last week via a tiny bird.  I was struggling with concerns over a son who was in jail ready to be released at any time.  He is homeless, making it difficult to keep track of him when he is on the streets.  I have had to trust that God is watching over him, just as He has said he cares for the lilies in the field and the little sparrows.  Contemplating the scriptures and one of my favorite paintings by Greg Olsen (the one depicting the Savior with his hand extended to feed four little birds on a branch) provided solace, but I still needed assurance that things would work out.  My prayers were heard.  Before my son was released back to the streets, Heavenly Father sent peace to my heart through a little bird 

• There is a chimney on our house where birds like to roost or build nests.  They usually fall down the chimney into the wood burning stove below where we can hear them flapping around in panic.  We do not burn anything in this stove, so it was cleaned and lined with newspaper to cut down on the soot that the birds can spread if they fly around the room after the door is opened for their escape.  When we hear a bird trapped in the stove, we take the screen off a window, leaving it open so the bird can see a way out of the room.  By keeping all the other windows covered, the birds rarely fly around the room.  They quickly see the light and discover the direct flight path to safety and freedom.

• The first bird of the season arrived in our stove last week.  I prepared his escape and opened the door to the stove.  He was sitting on the inside of the door handle.  As I looked down at him, he looked up at me, chirping happily with an unconcerned look.  As we made eye contact, a sense of peace enveloped me.  The little bird connected with my heart! I can only explain this feeling as a special spirit-to-spirit experience. 

• This little finch seemed to have no fear, trusting that all was well.  Seeing that he wasn't going to fly, I started to put my hand under him when he suddenly flew up and landed on my head!  I began talking to him quietly and walking slowly toward the open window.  He chirped and sang as I moved across the room.  Arriving at the window, I stuck my head out to make it easier for him to launch, but the little finch sat securely in my hair, continuing his song!  Shortly after calming my soul and delivering a message of peace and care, he flew away with one last delighted-with-himself chirp.  

• The impact of the Savior's promises in the scriptures washed over me.  He truly does love us, care about our individual circumstances, and watch over us in our struggles.  We are not to worry.  He takes care of everything.  Have no fear.  He is always near.   

• Matthew 10:29  Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.  

Matthew 10:31   Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Matthew 6:28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

Irish Blessings and Family History

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I proudly proclaim that I have lots of Irish blood in my veins!  

There is also English, Scottish, and Welsh in my mixed heritage, but that probably isn't unusual as the countries are fairly close to one another.  Thank goodness there are many ways to find our ancestors on line and build a respectable family tree.  

Family history information can be found easily on line because there are people all over the world copying records and inputting the data on the computer so people can research their family lines.  This process is called indexing.  Anyone, even older children, can learn to do this work because there are step-by-step help and training videos available.  It is a great service project.  I love doing indexing from the many different records that are available from these past several hundred years.  Once the individual names are recorded, they are then available to anyone in the world.  Just imagine how happy someone is when they find a long lost relative!

We know how important it is to have the Bible and the Book of Mormon.  Where would we be without these important, sacred histories?  Think of all the valuable records that help us know history, learn from it, and be inspired by it. Now, rather than pinch someone for not wearing green, go find out if you have some Irish blood in you!

Here's a link to begin a journey you'll enjoy:  Find your family history

Here is an Irish blessing that was printed in Dear Abby today:

Take time to work,

It is the price of success.

Take time to think,

It is the source of power,

Take time to play,

It is the secret of perpetual youth.

Take time to read,

It is the foundation of wisdom.

Take time to be friendly,

It is the road to happiness.

Take time to love and be loved.

It is the privilege of the gods.

Take time to share,

Life is too short to be selfish.

Take time to laugh,

Laughter is the music of the soul.

I add an Irish blessings of my own:

May you look up and smile even when the sun is not shining.

May God be your constant companion as you travel the mountains and valleys of life.

May the light of laughter chase away the darkness of fear and worry.

May joy fill your heart because you know even the little sparrow is in His care.

May you always hope, for it is what provides energy to keep going.

 

An Old Folktale About Becoming

Today in Stake Conference, we were asked to work on changing our hearts.  We can transform ourselves into becoming like the Savior as we strive to follow Him by emulating His example of love, kindness, non-judgment, and service towards others.

A voice told President Rigby,  "I didn't ask you to judge them.  I asked you to love them."   He then counseled us to extend to others the "BOD" (benefit of doubt) when we look at others' actions or looks.

The MASK (if anyone knows where this story is from, please let me know)

Once there was a king who was so nasty and mean that it showed clearly on his face and in his attitudes. So much so that everyone in his kingdom hated him, but more than that they feared him. Oh, they respected him, for he was their king, but when he would ride out among the people with his face all contorted in mean and nasty ugliness, people would scatter and run away.  If caught off guard they would bow low averting his eyes in silence, the dislike and fear of him showing on their faces.  And the king would mumble, mutter or sputter mean things to them.  No one spoke to him not even a 'good day, sire'.  After a while, the king grew even angrier with his subjects because of how they seemed to hate and fear him. 

Finally, the King called his wisest wizard to him and said, " I am tired of how the people treat me, use your magic to make them nicer people, I command it"  The wizard thought a long time and said the king would have to do exactly what he told him to do, with no questions and to the letter.  He asked the king if he was willing to do that.  "If you will not, it is hopeless," said the wizard.  The king agreed. "Fine, he said, whatever you say, I will do.  Anything that is necessary to get those rotten people to treat their king the way he deserves."  He grumbled a bit more under his breath and settled his face into his ugliest meanest grimace. 

The wizard went into a high cabinet and took down a box that he carefully opened.  Inside the box was a mask of the king's own face.  It was so like the king that the king's mouth fell open when he saw it!  Except for one small or not so small difference.  The expression on the mask was smiling and friendly--almost radiant, instead of grouchy and mean and nasty.  The king hardly notice the difference of the expression, "Where did you get such a mask?' he asked.  "Never mind the where," said the wizard, "it is a magic mask.  Here is what you must do, as you agreed with no questions asked:  You must put this mask on and not take it off for 100 days." "What..why... ehhhm I ... it isn't my way to grin like that, they will lose respect ... grumble ... grumble ... grumble ... I can't do that . . .  "Never mind the protest," said the wizard, "you agreed.  Put it on."  Well, the king grumbled, but he did put it on.  

The next time the King rode through the kingdom, a few people appeared to glance up at him in surprise, for never had they seen the king smile before.  After a few days, a few brave ones smiled a small smile back.  And a week later one peasant actually stood and smiled and said, "Good day to you, Sire."  This surprised the king and he did not know what to say, but he did not grumble mean things at the man.

Word began to spread, the king had had a change of heart. People began to stay where they could see him when he rode by.  Some bowed and then looked up and smiled at him.  Ah, thought the king, this is how a king should be treated.  Perhaps my subjects are becoming nicer people, perhaps they are not as rotten as they were a while ago. This continued.  Each day more people spoke to the king, smiled and even waved as he rode by.  And the king ... well he began to wave back and to offer his own 'good days' and 'how fare these.'  And the people began to tell him how life was for them. 

As the king heard sad stories of poverty and illness, he began to order that the people receive more of the bounty of the land, that they have the services of doctors and that disputes were settled fairly.  Oh, the people came to think highly of that king. They brought him fruits and vegetables and flowers from their gardens, and the king, in turn, came to really love these people who had become so lovable.  He would stop by a peasant's home and sit on the stoop to chat and taste a cake or such that a good wife had baked.

The king and his people loved one another. And the King began to feel guilty. He cared so much about these people now and he knew he was deceiving them with the mask. They liked him better, he thought, because of the beauty of the mask, but it is not me and I can no longer deceive them. 

Although the 100 days were not quite up, he knew he had to remove the mask and be honest with his people and if they would no longer love him, he would have at least had these past days. So, he went into a grand hall and looked closely into a large mirror at his face. The mask was smiling as it had on the first day he put it on.  He regretted having to take it off, but he could no longer fool the people he had come to love.  He reached up and pulled at the mask and it peeled off in his hand. When finally he got his courage up to look again at his mean contorted face, he saw a miracle!  For in the days he had come to love his people, his face had changed and now it matched the mask in every respect.  It was beautiful, and smiling and looked as he felt at that moment.  He wept and touched his laughing face.  When next he went out among the people his heart was light for he knew he was himself, true and true enough.  And that king and all the people of his kingdom lived a long and contented life.

A New Year to Spread Goodness Through Ripples!

"Where you have eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to feel, you can reach out and rescue others."   -Thomas S. Monson

"The gospel of Jesus Christ is another name for opportunity."  
                                                            -Ephraim Knowlton Hanks in the movie Ephraim's Rescue

Here is a link for the new year: The Quote Pond  http://www.theripplesproject.org/pond

I am a a collector of beauty and inspiration.  I save pictures (especially from calendars), take photos trying to capture the moment (though it is never quite as it was experienced), and collect sayings that touch my heart or impart wisdom.  This is my way of hoarding those things I'm afraid of losing.  I must realize the things that touch me are really never lost, and the moment cannot be held exactly as it is experienced, but words seem the easiest way to hold the moment, because they are interpreted personally as they impact or teach us.  This is why I am encouraging everyone to gather words to send ripples of goodness into the world.  It is similar to Random Acts of Kindness shttp://www.randomactsofkindness.org/

People say a picture is worth a thousand words because it helps us to see something in all of its wonder and glory that is hard to describe in words.  I believe another picture can be painted with words that are worth a thousand pictures.  A  word spoken or strung together in an amazing way, often received by its author in a spirit of enlightenment, revelation or inspiration, can convey countless images and feelings in our hearts and minds.

And so--I give you at least a thousand quotes to experience throughout 2014 and a project to begin making ripples in your life!  Leave quotes in places that people can find them and be uplifted or encouraged.  Send quotes specifically to touch someone who needs it.  Have fun being like the pebble that makes only one small splash, but radiates unending ripples into the universe.

Check out from where this idea originated:   http://www.theripplesproject.org/who.php

Have fun in 2014!