I'm Back!

Yes, it's me again, Katie--Jennifer's daughter. Well this blog is up and running again (for a while anyway).

Year after year my mom has put together her "happys" as she calls them. They are fun things to do with kids every day of December leading up to Christmas. Most include a scripture, hymn, a story about something you didn't know about Christmas, and creative idea to help your kids think of Christ and have fun spending time with the family.

Here are December 1-9. One of us will be posting the rest each day. Dare you to try it...

Happy Dec. 1st
"Our consistency in doing seemingly
small things can lead to significant
spiritual results." David A. Bedmar

Keeping Christ in Christmas in bits and pieces:
Think on this thought today: " Guide us to the Perfect Light..." "We Three Kings" John H. Hopkins

I AM THE LIGHT AND LIFE OF THE WORLD. 3rd Nephi 9:18
Application: Begin a new simple tradition today: Tonight before you eat at your table for dinner, have everyone sit down and get ready to say the blessing on the food. Light one little candle and let the focus be on the light. Explain to your family, your spouse, your friend, yourself that Jesus Christ is our light. Light can be referred to as guidance, direction, knowledge, warmth, power, safety, and goodness. Discuss this or think about it. Every night before you eat dinner light the one little candle, and remind yourself and your family, that Jesus Christ is the Light. The lights at Christmas time are to remind us of this. (Remember, it takes effort to light a candle. You need to come to it. You also are the one who blows the candle out...think about this.)

How is Jesus Christ a light for you?
What star are you following?
What can I do better that will guide me in the right way...?
How can I be a light on this day for someone else?
(You did it! Today you thought about our Savior! Be kind to yourself and tell yourself, I am good!)
For those who have time for deeper scripture reading on "Light," go to the Dec. 2009 Ensign and read President Eyring's talk. Or go to the topical guide and look up "light."

Happy Dec. 2nd
“Tis the Season to be Jolly…” “Deck the Halls”

Jolly: being in good spirits; merry. Cheerfully festive. Delightful, charming. To try to keep in person a good humor. To gain a desired end.

Did Jesus Christ Smile? Have you ever thought about that?

From the Scriptures: And it came to pass that Jesus blessed them as they did pray unto him; and his countenance did smile upon them, and the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus; and behold the whiteness thereof did exceed all the whiteness, yea, even there could be nothing upon earth so white as the whiteness thereof. 3rd Nephi 19:25

(Ponder yesterday’s thought on light after reading this scripture…)

Application: At the dinner table, after you have lit your little candle and you have eaten your dinner, tell your family you want to play a little game. The game is this: Everyone has to sit there and stare at each other without smiling. The first one to smile has to sit out for this round. See how long you can go without giggling, snickering or laughing.

Tell your family that one of your goals for Christmas this year is to feel “jolly.” And discuss how you can do this. You may need to play the Smile game several times to remind you! Tell them that Jesus Christ showed joy and happiness.

Simple to do list: Smile today to everyone. Even the people who cut you off in the car! See if it is contagious. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22

When you read scriptures about the Savior, picture him smiling.
Did he smile after he created the earth? Did he smile after he was baptized? Did he smile when he brought the children to him? Did he smile when 5,000 were all full and ready to hear his words?

Picture him smiling…at you! You are loved by Him.

Happy Dec. 3rd
"Our consistency in doing seemingly
small things can lead to significant
spiritual results." David A. Bedmar
Keeping Christ in Christmas in bits and pieces:

“Oh Come…”
“Oh Come All Ye Faithful” J. Reading 1692
Hear the Saviors voice to you:
And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye may feel and see…
3rd Nephi 18:25

I want to be able to feel and see!

To “come” means to be a part of, to be gathered, to be included.
Jesus doesn’t casually say “come,” he commands that we come…

Application: Invite someone you love, you care about, you think about, you are concerned about to “come” with you some place. The importance is the gathering not what you do. The togetherness and inclusion is the important part. Do the inviting today for tonight, for tomorrow, for next week, for next month….
1. Come for a walk
2. Come for a Christmas story on my lap
3. Come over for a small lunch
4. Come for an ice cream
5. Come for a back rub
6. Come for a sit on the couch and watch a Christmas show together.
7. Come so I can listen to you.

As you light your little candle at the dinner table tonight talk about how Jesus Christ has room for everyone! We’re all invited…. to come! “Come unto Christ and be perfected in him. Moroni 10:32

Decide with your family who you can ask “to come be with you…”
For yourself: Come kneel at your bedside and tell your Heavenly Father that you have come...

Happy December 4th
"Our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results." David A. Bedmar

Keeping Christ in Christmas in bits and pieces:
“Sing in Exaltation”

“O Come all ye Faithful” J. Reading 1692
“exaltation:” the state of being excited! Elation of mind or feeling.
“Break forth into joy, sing together…
for the Lord hath comforted his people,
he hath redeemed Jerusalem. 3 Nephi 16:19

Hear the Saviors words:

For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads. D&C 25:12

Application: Today is sing out loud day! When no one else is listening, sing in the shower, sing in the car, sing in your office, hum while you walk. Today sing a prayer unto the Lord! Sing the words as if they were your own. Sing them with your heart and soul and feel a change come over you.

As you light your little candle at the dinner table tonight, tell your family that Jesus Christ loves singing. Tell them he even sang a hymn with his disciples before he went into the garden of Gethesemane. What did he sing? Sing a little Christmas song together and if you feel comfortable add that to your Christmas gathering each night.

Here are the words to a song if you can’t think of one:

I Stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me a sinner, he suffered and bled and died.
Oh it is wonderful that he should care
for me enough to die for me.
Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
Oh it is wonderful that he should care
for me enough to die for me.
Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I Stand all amazed By Charles H. Gabriel 1856

Sing in Exaltation!

Further reading: Look up “song” in the Topical guide in the Bible and underline the scriptures about singing.

Happy December 5th
Keeping Christ in Christmas in bits and pieces:

“Angels Keep Their Watch…”

Oh Little Town of Bethlehem
By Lewis H. Radner 1808

Hear the Savior’s voice to you:
And whoso receiveth you,
there I will be also,
for I will go before your face,
I will be on your right hand
and on your left,
and my spirit shall be in your hearts,
and mine angels round about you
to bear you up. D&C 84:88

Is there not a greater expression of support
then this scripture from Jesus Christ?

Application: When you light your little candle tonight at the dinner table speak about angels and that we are never ever alone. There are many you can refer to in the scriptures. There also are many surrounding our lives. Who are they? Who is yours? Is one You? Explain why real people are considered angels. At this time recognize how simple it can be to be an angel to someone. Explain to your family that Jesus Christ is watching over you and understands everything about you. He loves all of us and wants us to know that we are cared and watched over always!
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch,
a smile, a kind word,
a listening ear, an honest compliment,
or the smallest act of caring, all of which have
the potential to turn a life around. Leo Buscaglia

For Yourself: Kneel down by your bed and ask Heavenly Father to send you an angel if you need one today. Or if you are willing to have that honor, ask Him to make you an angel today for someone else.
Tonight before you sleep think of one person that has been your angel and kneel by your bed and thank Heavenly Father for sending them to you.

Further Reading from Elder Jeffrey R.Holland:
Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times.
I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us
In the process of praying for those angels to attend us, may we all try to be a little more angelic ourselves—with a kind word, a strong arm, a declaration of faith and “the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted.”15 Perhaps then we can be emissaries sent from God when someone, perhaps…. is crying….

By the way, that scripture above in the Doctrine and Covenance is one of our Prophet, President Monson’s favorite scriptures, and how he lives it. He, to me, is an earthly angel!

Happy December 6th 2010
“Whisper what you’ll
bring to me…”
Jolly Ole St. Nicolas

And it came to pass that while they were thus conversing one with another they heard a voice as if it came out of heaven; and they cast their eyes round about, for they understood not the voice which they heard; and it was not a harsh voice, neither was it a loud voice; nevertheless, and notwhithstanding it being a small voice it did pierce them that did hear to the center insomuch that there was not part of their frame that it did not cause to quake; yea, it did pierce them to the very soul, and did cause their hearts to burn.

And it came to pass that again they heard the voice, and they understood it not.
And again the third time they did hear the voice, and did open their ears to hear it; and their eyes were
towards the sound thereof and they did look steadfastly toward heaven, from whence the sound came.
…and it said unto them; “Behold my Beloved Son…”

3rd Nephi 11:3-7

Application: Allow your mind and your heart to have quiet time today. “Open your ears to hear and your eyes to the sounds” of the spirit. Turn off your electronics, put your cell phone in the other room, unplug your phone. Do what you do to allow you to listen…Tonight we are blessed to hear the Prophet speak on Christmas. What a perfect day to listen….

I don’t ever want to be in a crowd when our Heavenly Father tries to speak to me and 3 times I did not hear or understand Him…Can you imagine not hearing God the Father speak? And what was the important message he had to say?

When you light your little candle tonight at the dinner table play the quiet game. See how much you can hear when you do not speak. It feels uncomfortable with a busy family. Explain to your family how at Christmas time it can be a time to listen more, to the spirit. This is a time when lights, and songs, and kindnesses, and warmth of home can bear testimony of Jesus Christ. We need to listen and feel. You may need to explain what the Holy Ghost feels like.

Happy Dec. 7
Keeping Christ in Christmas in bits and pieces:

“All is Bright…”
“Silent Night” Franz Gruber 1818

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth…Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 16 9,11
Have you ever felt a day to be brighter than another?
Have you felt lighter, happier, more energetic? What makes you feel “Bright?”
Usually it is “Good News!”
Jesus Christ was born! What Great news!

Application: Today make good news! Make your own “head line.”
Make a mental list of everything you feel comforted by and say outloud to yourself or to your family.
Head line: Really nice mom gets hot chocolate
with marshmallows from her kids…
or
Wow, Today is so great because I have …
A hot water heater,
Ears,
Christmas socks,
Dill pickles,
The world’s best pillow,
Snitches of chocolate in the freezer,
Cinnamon that I can smell,
The cutest darn kids in the whole world,
A really good friend,
Legs to walk and run on…

Making good news is recognizing things that are precious or meaningful to you,
even if they are random.

Be a creator today of “mental sunshine.”
Make your own “Good News and feel all is bright…

Happy Dec. 8th
Keeping Christ in Christmas in bits and pieces:

“Be near me
Lord Jesus…”
“Away in a Manger” Carl Mueller

Near: within or in a short distance; closely with respect to connection; being close by, not distant; intimate, familiar, close to.

Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. D&C 88:63

3rd Nephi 17:5-6
And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus spoke, he cast his eyes round about again on the multitude, and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them.
And he said unto them, Behold my bowels are filled with compassion towards you.

Application: How do you get near to something or someone? You physically get closer.
Do you feel far away? If you do, how can you feel closer?

As you light your little candle with your family read the scripture in 3rd Nephi. Would you wish Jesus Christ would tarry with you a little longer?
He can. He will, He does, He waits for us to come near…

As you say your family prayer at the table or when you kneel before you go to sleep, touch each other. Hold hands, put your hand on each others backs, hold baby’s in your arms, but come a little nearer.

If you are alone hold your scriptures in your arms in a hug as you say your prayers at night. The words in those pages will allow things to be open to you. We just need to come nearer.

Are you being kind to yourself as the holidays are getting busier? You are doing so good! Tell yourself you are!

Happy December 9th 2010
“Creating a little magic”…

Who started this Christmas magic of
warmth and love we all feel?

It was a birth of a mother and her baby boy…Our Savior…
…and she wrapped him in swaddling clothes…
[…and held him close to her heart and loved him instantly.]

This “Magic” I am referring to is not the dark, mysterious evil kind. It is the precious magic of enthusiasm, of making atmosphere, of innocence, of wonder, of miracles, of angels with tinsel wrapped around their heads, of time, tenderness, of surprise, of making memories, of sensitivity, of giving, noticing, admiring, sharing, seeing, believing, of loving, and more. And what joys these things add to the world!!! For what they bring is something magical! Don’t get too focused and lost in the harsh, frightening world we live in. Our children hear the news. They feel our worries. They need to believe! And we as adults want to!! That is what makes Christmas time more special …

We all anticipate that something wonderful is about to happen. And it will…if we believe it will!

It is usually us, the women—
The MOTHERS, THE GRANDMOTHERS that make it so…Our Men will follow how we do it...
We are the ones who make “the magic” happen and set the atmosphere for our families at Christmas time and other times throughout the year.

Then our children will take that magic and make it for their children and then they will and then they will…

“Touch Magic, Pass it on…” Jane Yolan

Application for Christ in Christmas: When you light your little candle around the dinner table, turn off the main light so it is dim in the room. (The beginning of making the magic of atmosphere…) Tell your children that we are doing this to remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. (And he came as a little tiny light like you and me.)
If you have music by your table, play a very quiet peaceful song, or sing one together. (Silent Night is so peaceful…). Tonight talk about Peace. If you have a little manger, bring it to the table. Peace on earth begins inside of us. What will bring peace to you during Christmas?

Is it taking a bubble bath?
Is it reading a Christmas story?
Is it listening to music?
Is it holding hands with someone you love?
Is it saying “I am sorry.”
Is it stopping, turning off your phone, and looking at your beautiful family.

What can your family do to bring it? Pray together that you will have peace in your home. Read one verse of the Scriptures together…for the words bring peace…

You will need to show the precious magic of peace if you want your family to feel peace at Christmas.

************************************************************************
During the day:
Feeling Stressed: Don’t feel any Christmas spirit yet? Change a Scrooge! While you are out and about find some grumpy scrooges. See if you can change them. Idea: Carry a bunch of hand warmers in your purse or pocket. Give them out and watch people…melt. (Secret) Hand warmers are like glitter, they carry a small portion of magic…and some how it rubs off on you too.

Magic Box Idea: Eye Spy Christmas: A family inning or outing:

**It is you and the magic of your enthusiasm that will make this game fun!! Make a list of Christmas items and pick a location that your family has to locate these items at. For example: in your family room at your Christmas Tree…brrrrrr its too cold to go out…or walking in downtown New Canaan together, or at the Mall, or in NYC, or at Wallmart or Grandma's house. You can split the family like a scavenger hunt, you can place a dollar amount on each item to spend at the end of the activity, or you can just locate them for fun! End up with the "Finding something good to eat." item and end up at the Cinnabon place at the mall or at 31 flavors or someplace for hot chocolate.

Here are some items to locate, or add your own:NativityBellGoofy Christmas decorationTree that has colored lightsSanta of any kindWreath with Christmas BallsCarolersCandy canemistletoeGingerbread houseA red candleThe prettiest light decoration
Someone who needs something we can give them
Something that feels good * Something that smells good * Something that tastes good