Tonight was one of the most wonderful experiences I have had all year long! As Christmas Eve came came to it's end, we commemorated the evening with a performance by Savanna and I: she on the violin, and I on the piano. We played "Silent Night" and "O Holy Night," with me playing a French host. (my favorite part, lol) We had only practiced that very night, so the performance may have been more or less, but the spirit was strong. It was fun to prepare and perform with my littlest sister. After the performance, we went to our basement where the television is and put in the movie "Joy to the World" produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It contains a beautiful twenty minute message about the birth of the Savior and how the sign of his birth was viewed not only in the Eastern hemisphere, but in the western as well, by his righteous followers on the American continent at the time. They had awaited his birth in anticipation as did all those who believed on the Savior Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful little film with clips of music from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and other scenes from the live of the Savior. After the film, (and after seeing the last half hour of a Mormon Tabernacle Christmas performance on tv with David Archuleta) we rushed off to get ready for bed. As usual on Christmas Eve, elves had come and placed pajamas on our beds, so we could greet the next day with fresh warm clothes!
The best part of the evening was even yet to come, however. As my sisters as I all brushed our teeth, tried on our new pjs, got our last drink of water, etc, we settled down into the room we were all sharing for the night. (Grandma and grandpa Decker are in town and are therefore using the other bedroom.)
We decided to read a little excerpt from a book I bought a while back called:
Christmas Treasury for Latter-day Saint Families, by Lloyd and Karmel Newell. I asked Amber to pick a section for us to read together and she chose the one on traditions. We read the section together and then talked a little bit about some of our favorite Christmas traditions as a familiy. Savanna said she loved getting to decorate the Christmas tree each year for her birthday (which falls at the beginning of December).
Amber said she loved taking Mom's white chocolate popcorn to all the neighbors and especially putting up the felt nativity and reading the story of the birth of Jesus and moving the felt pieces around to act out the scene. Michele said she loved everything: especially going out to look at the Christmas lights and making and decorating cookies. Since she is already 22 and out of the house, she and her soon-to-be fiance did a few Christmas traditions of their own this year, including those two things. I also love everything: from getting pajamas from elves on Christmas eve, to making cookies together, to the Christmas music we play, to decorating the tree, seeing the lights, etc. All make up for a special and wonderful holiday. I think most importantly, I just love being home with my family. It is such a rare and special thing now that Michele and I are moved out of the house. Since I haven't been home for Christmas in three years, this one seems extra special to me. The most special part of the evening was being able to just sit and share these special memories together with my sisters, and best of all: to kneel down with them, all four of us, lined around the edge of the bed, and have my Sister Michele offer up and sweet and sincere prayer of thanks for our family, for the season, and for the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has made all of what we have possible. Our family, the love we feel between one another, the blessings of health and happiness, and the mercy and forgiveness of our Savior are all gifts given us by Him. We owe everything we have to this special being, who was once born in a stable, and lain in a manger. A man of such royal birth, born in so humble of circumstances. A King over all earth and sky, and yet, so humble and pure, insomuch as to suffer and die for the sins of every one. I am thankful for that moment in which my Sister humbly expressed these feelings as we knelt down all together in prayer. What a special moment for me to be united with my family again, on the Eve of the Anniversary of the birth of our Savior, giving reverent thanks unto Him. These things are the reason for the season: family, friendship, service, camaraderie, compassion, love. Michele, Amber, Savanna, Mom, Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, and best of all my Savior: Thank you for a wonderful night!
