The Spirit of Christmas

[Anonymous]

I enjoy this time of year, even though I always say I should think of Christ’s birth, life, and sacrifice all year long, I think there is some special spirit because so many people all around us are all thinking about the story of Christmas, or at least, service to others and loving our neighbors.

In church today, the thought came to me that there are so many inconsistencies and inaccuracies regarding the story of Christmas. Just a couple that came to mind:

1) Date of the birth was not December 25, but April…in fact some scholars suggest it wasn’t even in the first year CE, but more likely around 6 BCE.

2) Wise men … likely more than 3 and likely visiting Mary and the child a few years after the birth.

… and many others.

I think the Spirit of Christmas has its meaning by what it represents, regardless of the historic accuracy of the events that bring meaning and peace to my current life and family.

In many ways, this made me think of how often I think of Joseph Smith, or the Book of Mormon, and desire to find historic accuracies to relieve problems of authenticity, when the Spirit of the stories of the restored gospel are wonderful gifts in my life, in the same fashion the Christmas story has meaning regardless of literal accuracies in the accepted stories.

I hope you all find peace and increased spiritual connections with the heavens during this wonderful season. I love you all and appreciate your examples and testimonies. Merry Christmas and God Bless.

[Anonymous]

Heber13 wrote:

In many ways, this made me think of how often I think of Joseph Smith, or the Book of Mormon, and desire to find historic accuracies to relieve problems of authenticity, when the Spirit of the stories of the restored gospel are wonderful gifts in my life, in the same fashion the Christmas story has meaning regardless of literal accuracies in the accepted stories.

I hope you all find peace and increased spiritual connections with the heavens during this wonderful season. I love you all and appreciate your examples and testimonies. Merry Christmas and God Bless.

Thanks for this, Heber! I totally agree. We had an office party at my home over the weekend, and one staff member, a Jehovah’s Witness, almost didn’t come (they don’t celebrate Christmas because it is a “Pagan” holiday). I explained to her that I probably view Christmas differently than most at the office — considering that I think it’s possible that Jesus may have lived a very different life than what the Bible tells us. The specifics of his birth, life mission, “God” nature, resurrection, etc. are possibly completely borrowed from prior religious traditions.

But I LOVE Christmas. I love all the lights, the music, the presents, and of course all the time with friends and family. There is a “spirit” of peace and love that we don’t get other times of the year. Call it the “ends justifying the means,” but it really works for me. Whatever the actual history of Christ, He brought us a doctrine of love for each other that I choose to celebrate this time of year.

Merry Christmas to YOU all as well…

[Anonymous]

Thanks Heber,

I too love this time of year and the feelings you get. I have always loved the christmas story ever since I was a child. I don’t even want to think about discrepancy with that story because I have enough to think about now, so I just enjoy the season and the feeling that I get.

Merry Christmas to you too.

[Anonymous]

I find over and over again that I am rewarded with good experiences (like Christmas) when I just let them happen. I’m right there with you. “Real” and “true” is what we experience. There’s nothing more solid than that.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for this wonderful post, Heber. It is both true and profound – and lovely.

[Anonymous]

Merry Christmas everyone. May this next year bring us spiritual peace that transcends all our questions. May we be people of faith AND hope AND better kinds of love.

And now I will pass out lots of virtual Christmas goodies. Eat as many as you like! There is no guilt with these!

[Anonymous]

Yes Heber, agreed. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Quote:

And now I will pass out lots of virtual Christmas goodies. Eat as many as you like! There is no guilt with these!

AND NO CALORIES!!! – which is just as important to me at the moment

[Anonymous]

Heber, thanks for starting this post. My gay son just sent all of us an email saying he is too broke to buy presents this year and hoped everyone would understand. He told us that we did not need to get him anything since he can’t get us anything. Everyone wrote him back with such love and kindess expressing how they understood these were hard ecomonic times for lots of folks and that Christmas was more about love and family. I told him that he could give the gift of himself by using his graphic art talent and make each person a card and write in it the special things he loved about each family member and how he felt about them. He was so happy with that idea. As part of our Christmas program each year we each read a part of this thought piece I was given in Releif Society years ago. It catches the spirit of Christmas for me the best, so I thought I would share it here with you all. One last thing, I want to express how much this group has meant to me and meeting you all. I finally found a place I ‘fit’ in. So many forums out there on the net, people get so rude and insulting and are so disrespectful. You all shine the light of Christ better then them all. MERRY CHRISTMAS from me to you. Warmly, Bridget

The Gift of You

Don’t forget to add these Emotional Gifts to your list for Holiday giving. They cost nothing but are the most precious presents you can give to your friends and family. These twelve gifts are-Gifts of You. They cost nothing but their effects can last a lifetime.

1. ‘The Gift of Time’- In our busy lives, the phrase, I don’t have time, has become a universal complaint. Most human relationships profit from a simple tonic that is called Tincture of Time. A chatty phone call to an unhappy trend, or a half-hour visit to an aunt who lives alone can mean a lot, but costs very little.

2. ‘The gift of good example’ – Most people learn fundamental attitudes and behavior by observing others. Be a good example by handling difficult situations in a mature manner.

3. ‘The gift of Acceptance’- Many problems between husband and wife or between friends begin when one person tries to change the other to fit preconceived notions. Did you know that people begin to shed bad habits once they are accepted the way they are?

4. ‘The gift of Seeing the best in people.’ When we expect people to respond in a positive way, they usually do. But you must let those you love know that you expect the positive.

5. The gift of giving up a bad habit.-All of us have habits that annoy those we love. What a great gift it would be if you could give up an unhappy or unhealthy habit.

6. The gift of Teaching-Helping someone you love learn something new is an important investment in their future happiness. Only by learning new skills can we become fully alive.

7. The Gift of Listening-Few of us know how to listen effectively Learn to listen without passing judgement.

8. ‘The gift of fun’-There are people who ‘wet blanket’ the happiness of those around them while others lead people into finding fun in ordinary events.

9. The gift of letting others give.- When we accept others gifts in a gracious manner, we may be giving them one of the most important gifts of all. Remember the joy you feel in giving is felt by others as well.

10. ‘The gift of privacy’- Each of us has a need for companionship and also privacy. Relinquish some of your natural curiosity occasionally and give those you love the right to private thoughts and unshared feelings.

11. ‘The gift of self-esteem’-Do not fail to recognize the praiseworthy qualities and actions of those you love and sincerely tell them.

12. The gift of Self-Disclosure- Letting someone else discover more about you can turn a relationship into something a flourishing one, sustain a healthy friendship or marriage.

[Anonymous]

That’s beautiful, Bridget…thanks!

[Anonymous]

Your welcome Rix, What is everyone doing for Christmas this year?

[Anonymous]

Quote:

Your welcome Rix, What is everyone doing for Christmas this year?

We’re staying home, blocking out ward holiday parties, work holiday parties, and trips. I guess we’re being anti-social…but we’ve had a rough past year and this time of year is going to be about focusing on family relationships and simplifying life, and looking to appreciate what we have.

I’m trying to focus on renewal. Renewal of my relationship with God and Christ, my wife, and my kids. I don’t want to go back to the way things used to be for me and my beliefs, but take what I’ve learned this year, and now create a new mature, realistic, and truly loving renewal.

This forum has helped me work through some things this year. I want to stay connected to continue to get ideas and help on how I go about my renewal process. I’m not anti-church…just anti-church-obligatory-obedience-and-guilt.

This Christmas I hope to use the nativity story to renew my faith in glad tidings and joy.

[Anonymous]

I want to bring this back to the top. It has a great message.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Christmas started off with a bang. My son’s black lab ate a plate of Christmas cookies overnight.

[Anonymous]

I want to bring this back again. It has been 4 years since I last saw it.

And it seems appropriate for this season.

Thanks Heber!

[Anonymous]

Minyan Man wrote:

I want to bring this back again. It has been 4 years since I last saw it.

And it seems appropriate for this season.

This was a nice thread to read through. Thank you for bringing it up MM.

And Merry Christmas to all here at StayLDS

[Author]

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