Feeling the Christmas Spirit

I was up early this morning-

defrosting the turkey, making layered jell-o, 

wrapping the final presents

all the preparations to make this a great holiday for the kids.

There are a couple things left to do today:

make a shepherd and two angel costumes

for the kids to participate in a nativity at a retirement home tonight

and help secretly drop off some Christmas for another family

I was sad earlier this month to think that I was missing out 

on all our family get togethers this year-

feeling lonely and sad for myself

and then some opportunities came along for us to help those who have very little

it has changed my perspective this year.

If we truly want the spirit of Christmas in our homes,

we need to seek the spirit of Christ.

When we lose ourselves, we find joy, love, and peace,

which are the greatest of Christ's gifts to us.

I remember when I was little, 

my parents helped to provide Christmas for 

patients at the Utah state mental hospital.  

These people were lost and forgotten and had no loved ones to remember them at Christmas.  

We never met these patients, but as I think back now on shopping and wrapping presents for them, weren't they the very people Jesus himself would seek out and bless. 

I hope that my children will remember not only the fun of Christmas, 

but also the times when we were able to serve others and bring the Christmas spirit to them.

So although I am just as excited as my kids for tomorrow morning,

I hope today we will remember why we are really celebrating.