Day Five of the 7-day Nativity Tradition-SHEPERDS

by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

Day 5: Shepherds

 DB: [It is believed that] the shepherd fields right outside of Bethlehem are where they raised lambs for sacrifice in the temple, which is so symbolic because Jesus is the Lamb of God and was born to be sacrificed. And something that shepherds would normally do, is they would take the lambs—remember that were first born and male and had no blemish— 

EBF: And they would check them. They would check over all of them. And when a lamb was born that looked like that— 

DB: Right, they would wrap them up in swaddling clothes and they would lay it on the manger floor. So when the angels come and give [the shepherds] that sign to look for Jesus, they knew that they were looking for the Lamb of God. They knew what it meant. Invitation 

EBF: The shepherds symbolize a testimony within, an inner conviction that we have come to know Christ. The shepherds are a reminder for us to come closer to the Lord, now and with haste, and then to share our testimony with others. The invitation then for the shepherds is, of course, to share your testimony of Jesus. 

Tradition Idea: Get a candle and give one to every person in your family. The person who starts gets to light their candle, and then you just light the candle of every person around the room and share one small thing you love about Jesus. 

Day Four of 7-Day Nativity Tradition-ANGELS

 

by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

Day Four-ANGELS

EBF: I just love the thought of voices I know well telling each other of the Savior’s birth. And as I think about that, I think, “Isn’t that what happens when we sing those songs before institute or when we sing those songs before sacrament meeting? Or even if you go caroling from house to house as neighbors, that we are just telling each other what we know and what we believe and what we love about the birth of Jesus Christ.”

Invitation

DB: The angel embodies the heart that runneth over with good tidings of great joy in this season. The angels are a reminder of anticipation of good things to come and it should fill our hearts with warmth overflowing. So the invitation for the angel is to fill your heart and home with the carols.

Tradition Idea: Either go caroling with your family or turn on Christmas carols in your house and just enjoy all of that beautiful music. But whatever you do, make yourself some hot cocoa to go along with it!

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Day Three-Nativity Tradition-MARY

 

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by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

Day 3: Mary

EBF: Have you ever wondered what it was that Mary might have pondered? I think to myself that surely she did what all new mothers do . . . and just pulls that baby up into her and looks at every single thing about the miracle of a brand new baby.

DB: Could Mary ever have imagined what her life would be filled with being the mother and disciple of the Son of God? And years later, after all of these things had happened, do you think she looked back on that night in the stable and remembered some of those things that she pondered?

EBF: We love thinking of what Mary might have pondered on that night, that still and sacred moment when she just sat and thought about the miracle of that birth. I think it is so important for each of us to remember to do that in our own lives—to take a moment and just ponder on the night of Jesus’s birth.

Invitation

DB: Mary reminds us that we need to find a moment to ponder the events of that sacred night in Bethlehem. As we do this, we celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth and the gift heaven gave. So the invitation for Mary is to find some place and some time to ponder the miracle of Jesus’s birth.

Tradition Idea: Decorate heart-shaped sugar cookies and talk about Mary’s heart, or gather a box of things that might have helped Mary remember that holy night. Just take time to calm everything that’s going on around you and remember the night of Christ’s birth.

Day One of Seven Nativity Traditions-The STABLE

 Day One of Seven Nativity Traditions

by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

                              Day One-The Stable

DB: When [Mary] was maybe nine months pregnant, they made the trek into Bethlehem to find that everybody else from the line of David was also there, so the city was packed full of people. There was a lot of busy-ness, there were a lot of crowds, and no inn had room for Mary and Joseph, which means no place had room for Jesus.

EBF: Maybe we can look at that night, that first Christmas night when Joseph and Mary went away to a tiny stable—a holy place, a sacred place where they could get away from everything. . . . Maybe we can make room for Jesus Christ in our celebrations this year. Maybe we can create sacred spaces and holy places as we celebrate a Christ-centered Christmas this year.

Invitation and Tradition Idea:

The invitation and tradition for day number one is to display an empty stable. And every time you pass by it, maybe you can think, “What can I do this week or what can I do today to make more room for Jesus in my Christmas celebrations?”

Day Two-7-day Nativity Tradition-JOSEPH

by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

Today, I will share what Joseph represents and his part in the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
On this holy night, Joseph's heartfelt desire was to make sure everything was ready for the miracle that was about to take place. On the night Jesus was born, Joseph acted with KINDNESS.

                                                    Day Two-Joseph

JOSEPH represents the desires of our hearts. He reminds us of the secret acts of Christmas kindness given with sacrifice and love to the broken, the weary, the lost, or the lonely.
One of the Savior's most prominent traits was KINDNESS -- a loving, gentle nature that sought the good in others and caused Him to treat them accordingly. When we offer the gift of KINDNESS to Him, we recognize each person we encounter (including ourselves!), is a much loved son or daughter of our Father in Heaven. When we walk in His shoes, we treat others with kindness, compassion and forgiveness.

President Thomas S. Monson has said, "Is there someone for whom you should provide service this Christmas? Is there one who awaits your visit (following the Covid-19 guidelines)?...There is yet time this year to extend a helping hand, a loving heart and a willing spirit. In other words, to follow the example set by our Savior and to serve as he would have us serve."

May your holiday season be centered on being Christlike--kind, caring, loving, and having charity.

#Give Thanks Posts for November 2020

This is a thank you card painted by my little neighbor, Odin, who is less than two-years-old!

Russell M. Nelson, Prophet and President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, issued a seven-day challenge to run up to Thanksgiving day to post what and who we are thankful for and why.  Below is one of my own posts, followed by some well-written posts by a dear family member (with her permission).  She, along with others, made me even the more grateful because the "thank you" posts were exceptionally inspiring and thought provoking. 

DAY 6 POST by me:  I'm having trouble wrapping up this week's #GiveThanks challenge. Reading the many beautiful expressions of gratitude that others have posted has enlarged my gratitude like the Grinch's heart growing bigger by the minute. I have realized, even more, how thankful I am for the talents/gifts of others. I've been touched, enriched, motivated, uplifted and blessed beyond measure by people who share their music, art, writing, humor, insights, and wisdom; their talents/gifts/skills to fix, build, and create; to encourage and listen and love and care and inspire, , and their beautiful spirit. When I see or hear you, I know we are all precious children of God and He has given each of us talents/gifts to share with others so we can be instruments in His hands to serve others and spread joy and encouragement.

 Day 3,  by Whitney Sowby:

I am so thankful for sisters. I have my biological sister, Brittany, who has always made any situation fun and exciting. I have my mom, who has become almost more of a sister now that I am grown. I have my extended family “sisters” in my mother in law, sister-in-laws, my beloved aunts, my cousins, my grandmas. They have loved me throughout my life. I can think of numberless stories about them defending me and loving and supporting me. I have my “sisters” in my friends and neighbors. I have had soooo many talks, sharing, learning from these ladies. So many discussions and tears together.

Tonight I was thinking about a problem my child was having (fear of the dark). And I remembered a dear friend who counseled me on her own experiences with her children. Though we do not live close, her previous counsel helped me again tonight.

My many walk and talks with friends and family have taught me so much. The “sisters” in my life are strong in each of their unique and special ways, and I have been lifted up, taught and loved by these amazing women. I can think of something I have learned from each one of you.

I am truly grateful for my many sisters. I thank my loving God for having them in my life.

Day 4, by Whitney Sowby:

Is anyone else having a hard time some days actually narrowing down a #givethanks to really one good idea/topic?!?! Can I just say everything?!

The closest I can get to everything, besides life (Day1 grateful post) is knowledge. And as I am only a mere mortal and cannot experience a fraction of things in my short life, I am blessed with the history of many more mere mortals’ knowledge being amassed together for my edification in the form of books.

Today I am grateful for books. Sooo many books.

I am thankful for the scriptures which give me a road map for my life. That bring God’s eternal message and His personal ministry to me to study at my own mortal pace. I am grateful for the many testimonies held in these scriptures and the power the hold as they teach me something new every time I read them.

I am thankful for books of learning; I have read thousands of books for school and job in text books,scientific journals and articles. And I still don’t know anything. The world holds so many fascinating things; that we have learned and have yet to discover. I am thankful for the biology/physiology/genetics books that have brought great understanding in my life. These science book have especially brought me a testimony of God’s great power and mercies.

I am thankful for books of fun; since I was young, I have devoured fiction. Little house on the prairie, Goosebumps, Nancy Drew, boxcar children, Anne of Green Gable, Jurassic Park, Tennis Shoes among the Nephites, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, The Work and the Glory, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Dan Brown, James Herriot, Matthew Rielly, Brent Weeks......so many.......and ultimately Brandon Sanderson. Don’t interrupt me if I’m in the middle of a good book!!!

I am thankful for the “easy read books”. I love sitting with my kids and helping them learning the magnificent power of reading. I am thankful for the books I read aloud to them (Currently Wednesdays at the Castle). I treasure my reading time with them.

I am thankful for the smell and feel of a paperback book. I am also thankful for my kindle app that I can read at night while up with my babies.

I am thankful for the encyclopedic knowledge now always at my fingertips as I can google search or Wikipedia any question I can dream up, that I used to have to flip to find instead.

I am thankful I am born in this time where as a woman I am free to learn to read, and have such vast treasure troves to access.

Day 5, by Whitney Sowby

I am thankful for those who help me care for my body. The doctors, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists, techs/nurses and on and on.

Our bodies are miraculous, but take a great deal of care and work. I greatly value the time,

energy, money and work that comes to those who train for years and years to help us the best we know how to.

I am grateful for the researchers that continue to find new ways to help care for our bodies (Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio; Ben Kell, Sam Sharpe, Huachun Zhong, and more).

My entire life has been surrounded by those that work in healthcare. I am grateful for my husband, father and brothers, cousins and friends that have dedicated so much to help others. I am grateful for my mother, who had no heathcare training but was still there to care for me in sickness and pain.

I had an accident my junior year in high school and shattered some of my front teeth. Our family dentist took excellent care of me. Without the knowledge, tools, skills and expertise, I would look very scary and wouldn’t have been able to eat until my teeth were pulled. I am sure I would have had infections which have killed so many. I wouldn’t have had the same quality of life. And this is just a small example of the wonders of medicine.

I had horrible vision. Without my corrective eye care, I could barely see the creases in my hand held at arms length. With lasik, my eyes have been made more correct- I have perfect vision. It has been a blessing to wake up in the middle of the night (with the crying babies) and to be able to see.

I an so grateful for those that helped deliver my babies and helped monitor my and my baby’s health through pregnancy.

So many ailments that in the past have crippled and killed, today have lost their sting. Granted, there are still so many diseases and problems still, but we are still learning and trying. Advancement doesn’t come without work and not giving up.

Thank you to all those whose work helps others and their health.

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There you have just a taste of the remarkable gratetude that filled the pages of social media for seven extra-thankful days! 

 

 

Why I Believe Devotional - October

This is well worth your time if you desire to experience an uplift with hope and strengthen your faith in Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.  You will gain much joy in knowing they love you, watch over you, and will be there for you to help you through anything.  Skip the first half of the video until the devotional part comes on at 29:37.

 The beginning and end of this video have music playing and a few people sharing their personal stories of how they found The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Watch other devotionals of the England Manchester Mission on YouTube. 

                    Why I Believe Devotional