Christmas Thoughts

  I've been thinking a lot about Christmas lately.  :)  I know, I know.  Shocker.  And although the baby Jesus was missing for a few days from the kids' Nativity set, I've really been trying to find ways to think of the Savior.
  With Andrew and Emily, I was still pretty early in my pregnancies around Christmastime, but being 100 months pregnant right now has really given me an appreciation of Mary.  Poor little lady!  Waddling around, riding on a donkey, and I know for a fact that in order to sleep (relatively)comfortably while pregnant, you need at least 2 pillows, plus quick access to a bathroom.  I'm so grateful for her and her faith in God.  She raised the Savior of the world.  I love her for that.
  You know how sometimes something becomes so common to you that you forget how amazing it is?  I've done that with Christmas songs.  Emily loves to be sung to before she goes down to sleep, and so for the past week I've been singing Christmas songs.  When I have thought about the words, it has really strengthened my testimony in the Lord.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing -
                     "God and Sinners Reconciled"
                                    I am so thankful for the Savior's atoning sacrifice.  I'm grateful that I am able
                                    to repent and mend the wrongs I have done. 
                     "Born That Man No More May Die"
                                    The Savior's Resurrection made it so that I and all those that I love can live 
                                     again, with perfected bodies.  Death isn't the end.  It's really the beginning. 
                                     I'm so thankful for that knowledge.


What a wonderful time of the year!!!!!