Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.

I'm the kind of person who lives for snuggling up under the beautiful strands of Christmas lights with my cup of hot cocoa while I listen to Bing Crosby's Christmas Pandora station.  I'm the girl who swoons over the lights at Temple Square no matter how many times I see them. (Let's be honest. I swoon over Christmas lights in general.) Christmas trees lit up make me teary. Pine scented candles make me happy. I love wearing the rich-colored winter sweaters and dressing up for Christmas parties. If I'm in the car driving- I'm singing Christmas carols.  I. Love. Christmas.

Matt and I are in a Young Married Student ward, and we have the most beautiful and sweet Relief Society president in our ward. She put together a 'Silent Christmas' lesson today- and I need to get my hands on the video she used. It was uplifting, and emotional, and beautiful and all things Christmas. Today I remembered exactly why I love Christmas.  Last year I remember thinking that I understood Christmas a little bit better since I was in the same state that Mary was... very pregnant, and feeling all those emotions and thoughts that go along with that. I guess I understood that aspect of the story of Christ's birth better then, but this year I have a new level of empathy. Of course I can't know completely how Heavenly Father felt sending Jesus to earth to make the significant sacrifices that he did. To be honest- I don't think I want to know exactly how that felt. This year I do know what a parent's love feels like. Seeing your child struggle and fail to learn something new, only to suddenly get it because of how many times they've tried is one of the most happy feelings I've had. Wanting to give your child every possible opportunity to become a strong and wonderful person is a feeling I know now. I get it.
I get why Heavenly Father has made fall leaves, or why there are so many incredible places on Earth. I get why there are sunrises, and clouds, and baby giggles, and the atonement.
Heavenly Father loves us more than we can fully comprehend. He is literally our Father, and he wants to give us all of these things that make us happy.  He wants to give us opportunities to really get those gentle reminders that nudge us back into line. Today was my little reminder. 

It's not that I haven't always know what Christmas is. My home, as a child, was filled with reading Luke 2, and looking at all of my mom's Christmas decorations that always included a nativity or two. As the years go by though, I think it's easy to get distracted by everything else that goes on during the Holidays.  Over the past week I've been discouraged with feeling like a "Scrooge". I haven't been as excited for Christmas this year, and I couldn't figure out why. (Silly me.)  President David O. McKay said "True happiness comes only by making others happy--the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service."  I felt so overwhelmed with love and gratitude as I listened to Christmas hymns and read words from our Prophets about what Christmas is all about.
For my friends and family who know me- this is no surprise- but I'm a bit of a dramatic. So of course

when I paused to think, "how do I feel toward my Savior" words from Mr. Kruger's Christmas came to mind: " I love you. You're my closest, my finest friend. And that means that I can hold my head high, wherever I go. Thank you. "  (And then of course I bawled like a baby for the rest of the lesson.) I want to #sharethegift with all of you- I want you each to know that I truly know that Jesus Christ lives; that Christmas is about the immense hope that his life and atoning sacrifice has given us. I know he knows me, as well as each one of you. I know he loves us. I also know that Heavenly Father gave us the perfect gift when he allowed Christ to come and suffer, atone, and die for each of us. Because of him I get to see my sweet Grandpa Wallace again, and I'll get to meet Grandpa Coffin and Grandpa Benson. Because of him I get an endless supply of 'do overs' when I make mistakes. I think that Heavenly Father tries extra hard encouraging us to hear what he's trying to teach us during this holiday season because our hearts are more sensitive to the spirit.  I know that Heavenly Father has given us so many chances to serve others- even if you think you don't want to- because he knows how much joy it will always give you. 

I hope each of you have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope you can find ways to share the first true gift of Christmas. :)  (P.S. check out the links! :) If you haven't seen these videos you need to.)