With all the traveling and packing and unpacking and shopping and (I could really use a nap right about now) last minute holiday baking, I haven’t had a second for Jesus.
Until today.
Let me just tell you, husband or no husband, sacrament with three small children is no easy thing. Between the candy canes and the missing shoes, I was so preoccupied when the Christmas program started that I hardly even noticed what was going on.
Shoving Rex’s foot into his lost shoe, I suddenly heard the first few bars of “Away in a Manger” float across the chapel. It sounded like music from Heaven. And as the choir softly sang those humble words, describing the blessed plight of our Savior’s birth, all the socks and the cheerios and the clutter that fights it’s way into my life and brain, faded away and I was quietly taken back to that humble beginning.
When the choir and congregation joined together to sing, “Oh Come All Ye Faithful,” I so badly wanted to be counted as one of the faithful. “Oh come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem,” is a cry to the world to remember, to celebrate, to rejoice! Those words pierced my gift-wrapped heart and reminded me of what this season is really all about. It was as if the Spirit wasn’t going to let me forget why I am here. Not “here” meaning at church, but here.
If you haven’t had time to properly worship during this sacred season, find it. Flood your heart and home with songs of the Savior’s birth and enjoy the bright peace that comes from the star of Heaven, Jesus Christ.
Annie, I so agree. It’s hard to not get caught up in the present buying, the cookie making, etc. We had a lovely Christmas program this morning, and it really made me stop and reflect on my life and the true meaning of Christmas.
Thanks for the beautiful, simple reminder.
Annie, what a beautiful post! I wish I had better words to express what it meant to me.
Only you have the ability to make me both laugh and cry within seconds of each other.
Thanks Annie!
You are so right. I have felt that a lot this Christmas – doing, doing, doing, but not a lot of time for the Savior. My sacrament meeting brought that home today too. Thanks.
Annie,
Your ward is lucky to have ya…Thanks for the reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. I’m always up for some good Christmas music. I was reflecting on all the great Christmas traditions in Elma. I miss hearing your dad sing and play.
Merry Christmas,
Adrianne
The Christmas program is really the highlight of my season every year. I am so glad it served its purpose for you. Make sure your husband doesn’t leave town next fall so you can be up there singing with us!
Beautifully expressed…I felt a lot of that today too. How thankful I am that the Spirit is there and ready to remind me, now matter how many times I need to be reminded 🙂
The speaker in Sac. Meeting in my ward quoted from Annie Tintle’s article in the Ensign. . . something sweet about shepherds. . . I turned to Tiffany and asked if you had a new article in this month’s Ensign, but then the kids yelled and I didn’t hear her answer. . . tomorrow I’ll put that on my list of things to do . . .
Thank You Annie! I truly wish I could be in your ward choir. And not just for Christy.
Aren’t you just lovely? Merry Christmas, sweet one.
How sweet and lovely. I needed that.