Dec 24--Amy

Today, Dad, Dan, Audrey and I went snowshoeing to Stewart Falls. Audrey was excited for her first snowshoeing adventure. Although it was snowing and, eventually, hailing in the valley, we headed up to our misty mountains where there were inches of new snow.







At first, the trail's steep incline was a challenge for Audrey. She felt overheated, but because it was still lightly snowing, we didn't want to suggest she take off her hood. We stopped when she needed to, had drinks of water, had cookies, had granola bars, and as our stops increased, we started a 4-minute hiking interval goal with incentives. The waterfalls, at 2 miles in /4 miles round trip, seemed very far away.

Then Audrey asked if she could go first. We had thought it best to go ahead so that we could pack down the snow and make it easier on her. But as the 4-minute interval stretched into 16 without a request to stop, it was clear that something had changed. She asked Dan to quiz her on Greek, Roman, or Egyptian myths (anyone want to take her up on the challenge?). She watched for the trail markings and led the way. And yes, we did see the waterfalls.

Although it isn't New Year's, Christmas pushes me to examine my motivations, my goals, and my determination. What does the love of Christ honestly motivate me to do today and other days? What do I most need to do, and how can I actually do it, not just think about doing it?



Today reminded me that at times everything can feel really slow going. Paths that are new to me make miles gummy-stretchable. It's easy for me to want to stop. I have to keep reminding myself that how I experience my journey can change, and actively seeking the path/trail ahead can give me strength. And that seemed right as we read tonight to "seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever." 

December 23 - from Michael

I've recently read a remarkably fresh and thoughtful memoir from the now-president of Ghana, discussing mostly his childhood and youth. One small thing among the many that stuck out to me, was how modernization triggered the quick demise of a number of traditions in the villages, some religious (animistic) and some not (full moon dances with a band, where many courtships started before the arrival of electric light).  He elsewhere makes use of the Adinkra symbol Sankofa (two versions, the one below showing a bird picking up an egg from its back), which represents a proverb about learning from or taking the best from the past to move forward. It's referenced in a personal and a cultural sense of establishing identity and habits, traditions. I found it interesting that the proverb seems to suggest selection and choice--somehow I'd imagined traditionalism as something that resists division.  But no culture lives outside time and variation, and every tradition had a start somewhere in specific circumstances, by individual people.

Selecting traditions has been a little on my mind; staying home this Christmas, it falls to us as parents to keep or establish traditions for our family. Unlike Easter, which despite its Christian significance seems to have a fairly thin set of cultural traditions outside the Catholic church, there is a wide melange of cultural associations with Christmas. Some are really more about cozy conviviality in the midst of cold winter weather; gifts are obviously a big part too. Both are fine by me (within limits), but it's interesting to think of Christmas without them--a children's library book I've especially enjoyed this year, "There was no snow on Christmas Eve", reminds me of the conditions in Bethlehem, and makes me wonder how the church in apostolic times might have celebrated it.

 

At some point in my adolescence, my anticipation of Christmas morning shifted to Christmas Eve--the nativity play, carols and family prayer (even our tidying beforehand, which helped create the atmosphere and emotional readiness). In many cases, the feeling of unity and presence of the holy spirit after that family ceremony left me awake later that night in awe and gratitude; God had, as the verse says, silently imparted a heavenly blessing to our human hearts through the Holy Ghost. Spiritual experiences are rarely if ever predictable, but although it may take a while to achieve, I hope family traditions in our house help create the opportunity for that kind of experience for my children (and myself, with them).

December 18 - Benjamin

Coming up soon...

December 17 - Mago

Several years ago, at the beginning of the month of December my parents brought a basket like the one above and placed it under the tree. We were young (between 9 and 11) and looked forward to the Christmas season with much anticipation (the presents, festivities, family dinners, etc.). We had a short lesson on the Nativity story. I don' remember much about the specifics of the lesson, but I do remember that my dad, who was leading the lesson, said that we were going to do something different that Christmas. He then pulled out a big bag of hay and placed it near the Christmas tree. He talked about offering a present to Christ, and also that when we serve others we are serving Him as well. "We are going to make a manger for Him", my dad said, "with our good deeds." So, we were to secretly do something good for someone and each time we did, we could take a small portion of hay and place it in the basket. The activity went from the beginning of December until the 24th. Of course we wanted Christ to have a nice, comfy manger, so especially as we got closer to Christmas, we were all trying our best to place lots of hay in the woven manger. It was a lot of fun--everyone doing secretly good things for each other and giggling when people discovered what you've done ("Oh, it looks like a little elf visited our kitchen and did the dishes", my mom would say). It was fun. Certainly, we should lay up the treasures of heaven where moth and rust doth not corrupt, neither do thieves break in and steal.

"Come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price." (2 Nephi 9:50)

December 16 -- James

I'm a bit late, but some marathon midnight bonding time with Benji has given me time to think about something to share. I see that some earlier posts have already touched on this topic (and others) quite nicely; they've been delightful to read.

Several of the Christmas hymns are lullabies. One that we've often sung to Benji is "Away in a Manger." I smile when I sing the part "The cattle are lowing, the poor baby wakes / But little Lord Jesus, no crying he makes." Hint, hint, Benji.

Many times, I have sung this song and envisioned a Christ child who behaved quite differently from other babies. But now I wonder. I wouldn't be surprised if Jesus cried as much as any other baby. In fact, I would be very surprised if he didn't cry his fair share--and struggle to sleep, and spit up, and get a runny nose, and do everything else that a growing baby does.

I don't say that just because I'm a first-time father up in the wee hours of the morning. I think that while Christ deserves every praise and deference we could give, there's something that's not quite right in considering him fundamentally in a different category from us. I, at least, have subconsciously set him apart in this way. I know he had to experience mortality, including some very unpleasant things. But at the same time, because he was Jehovah incarnate, and because he was without sin, I tend to think that mortal life--and especially knowing and choosing the right--was different for him, like taking a test with the answer sheet in hand, or like a college student doing a 3rd grader's math homework.

But I don't think it was that way; in fact, I think it had to not be that way. Christ had to descend below all things (D&C 88:6; 122:8). It was somehow essential for comprehending our condition and being able to work out the Atonement. Knowing about mortality would not have been enough; he had to experience it himself (Alma 7:13). And it was important that he experience it fully. I imagine that means he had to experience it as we do.

D&C 93:13 tells us that he "received not of the fulness at first, but continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness." At least two other scriptures mention him learning (Luke 2:52, Heb. 5:8). He wasn't born with the Pentateuch in his hand, like John Henry with his hammer. He had to start from "In the beginning" and study the scriptures like everyone else. I wonder how much they interested him initially. And of course, he first had to learn to read and write. Maybe early on he wrote some of his letters backwards. He probably made endearing mistakes while learning to talk. After all, he once was a little child, as the Primary song says. Though at twelve he was mature beyond his years, I can't imagine he skipped to adulthood without any impromptu footraces and skinned knees and bug-catching and the like, especially given the deep love and understanding of children he showed later in life.


Perhaps most intriguing for me, having worked and prayed through many life-direction decisions in recent years, is the idea that he didn't know fully from the beginning who he was and what he was supposed to do. I imagine Mary and Joseph taught him about his destiny, but perhaps not all at once. And they could only teach as much as they themselves understood. The rest he must have figured out on his own, through study and guidance of the Holy Ghost. Imagine it dawning on him, him putting the pieces together, reading prophecies and realizing they applied to him. How must it have felt? How long did it take him? Might it have been hard to accept the life laid out for him?

And, importantly, it is not only humanity that we have in common with Christ; he declared our divinity along with his own, reminding us that we are gods, children of God (John 10:34) and continually referring to God as our Father in heaven (e.g. Matt. 5:16, 45, 48). When he encouraged men to follow him and instructed them that they ought to be as he was (3 Ne. 27:27), he meant it, and not as some impossible goal. With his help, the kind of life he led is something we truly can aspire to and achieve. The hope of the Christian is to come "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). The early apostles and martyrs, the pioneers, and many quietly good people have shown us that a truly Christlike life is possible. Knowing this gives me courage to try harder and keep trying.

Heb. 4:15-16

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

December 14 -- Amy

To get to the study in our West Valley house, you went downstairs, through the playroom, past the storage room, past the bathroom, to the door was just before and to the right of Mike and Jeff’s room. Going into it, you almost always had to turn on the light because there was only a small, basement window with an opaque cover over it under which only really determined plants grew (like cheesy weeds and morning glory). There was a brown pull-out couch that was only really pulled-out into a bed when the Thalmans came to visit. There was the large roll-top desk with the only computer in the house. Everyone used that computer to type reports and play computer games that were on floppy discs, black, square-sized sheets that all looked the same but one had PacMan.

The most impressive thing about the room, however, was that about 4 feet above the ground up to the ceiling were shelves filled with books. Many of them were Dad’s books on Mormon history, but there were others—Greek myths, Mom’s copy of Mrs. Mike, and textbooks. From those shelves I also came across an old paperback book that inspired The Sound of Music. It was written by the woman I thought of as a cheery Julie Andrews, but it became clear that Maria von Trapp and The Story of the Trapp Family Singers was not quite like the musical. Although Maria had her own mind, she was strict, and there would be no marionettes about goatherds or play clothes made from old drapes. But I loved reading a section about how she changed their first Christmas together.

When Maria came as a governess, Captain von Trapp was often traveling and when he was home he was affectionate but often distant. The children, who had their own tutors and things to do, did little together. Maria decided they needed to celebrate Christmas—together. She had the gardener cut fir boughs and, with the children, made a wreath. They figured out how to hang it in the room so they could lower and raise it every night to light the Advent candles. She taught them songs and they came together every night of Advent. She also had them draw a name of a family member who, during advent, you did nice things for in, at least one every day. The Captain returned from his trip and was surprised and pleased that, through this, their house became more of a home. Maria’s devotion to Christ led her to reach out (through music and activities) in a way that helped draw them all together. And each year that I get to sing with your or play Christmas carols on the melodica with you, I feel drawn to you, and to God, and feel peace and hope.

 

December 13 - from Theo

Some of the most amazing and unique spiritual events reflect universal ones. For example, while the First Vision was an uncommon lesson in the nature of God, and served to call Joseph to an uncommon role as prophet of the restoration, his earliest recollections focus on seeking and obtaining forgiveness, an assurance God cared for him.  Likewise, the Christmas story is a birth story--something understood by every mother (and in many ways, only every mother).

It's Theo's calendar day, and he had a marvelous birth story (including the support of a nearly telepathic midwife).  However, with Lyle being born close to Christmas, it's natural we think back to that time.  It was a long, exhausting labor--we were so grateful Lyle stayed strong while squeezed in the birth canal for two hours at the end.  Jill barely had strength left to push his (by then coneshaped) head out, and the speed at which the rest of his (slimy red) body emerged, surprised me.  For a new dad, it was all slightly bizarre, but the mom forgot all the pain as soon as she cradled her baby.  A couple days in the basement of a hospital and a couple weeks cocooned in our tiny apartment while feet of snow nearly brought Seattle to a standstill around us--it felt very different than the life we had just left.  And it was wonderful. Each of his fleeting, involuntary smiles left me elated.

It was also a lesson about Christmas.  Mary was by most accounts quite young; it was her first pregnancy and she had to travel during the most uncomfortable part. There would likely have been midwives to assist her (as Kershisnik depicts); there would probably be plenty of sweat and bodily fluids, along with everything else in the stable.  Christ was not a typical infant, but at this stage, the differences might have been small in comparison to the similarities.  The condescension of God was complete in the circumstances of his birth--he became like one of us.  

It reminds me of the respect in which I should hold each infant, and regard each birth.  Other babies are not to be worshipped, but each has a special work to perform. From events later in Christ's life, it's clear that despite the wonder of Christmas, Mary and Joseph forgot and took him for granted, at least occasionally.  Another birthday serves to remind me of the treasure God entrusted to me.  The gift of life to a small family that Christmas would offer eternal life to the human family; and I gain (and hopefully, demonstrate) appreciation in the circle of my own family, to extrapolate to others.

December 12 - from Lyle

I'm taking the liberty of posting for Lyle.  When dressing up for a nativity, he consistently asks to be an angel; so here's our little angel holding the baby Jesus (Theo was only interested in the refreshments in the other room).

I love the restored doctrine of angels, footnote as it is to the gospel itself.  While there may still be many types of intelligent creatures in heaven, it makes sense that angels are spirit children of Heavenly Father as we are--not of a different 'species', just a different circumstance and glory.  It makes sense they have a history and future of divine potential; when they celebrate Christ's birth it's because he is their Savior too.  The continuity between mortal life and heaven lends logic or resonance to God's angelic assignments--Moses and Elijah translated in order to bestow keys on apostles prior to Christ's resurrection;  those like Mormon who continue a work they labored on as mortals.  It may be a tender mercy of the Lord as well as an assignment, to allow those intimately connected and concerned, to influence events on earth, when God wills.  Imagining spirit siblings yet unborn or remembering our loved ones who've died also reminds us of that continuity, and the possibility to be reunited with them--our true "better angels".

Angels attend to many aspects in the Christmas story, in most cases delivering succinct, personal messages as is typical throughout scripture.  Appearing to the shepherds, however, they follow a different pattern--one that brackets the Plan of Salvation from start (Job 38:7) to finish (Revelation chapters 5, 6 and 15).  We believe we all joined in the former, and earnestly hope to sing in the latter.  Who knows but what we might each have a more direct connection to that heavenly host in Luke 2:14?  May we in any case feel a similar emotion this Christmas.

December 11 - from Jill

 

I remember in December, when we drove home after dark, looking for the single electric candle in each window of our house.  I remember lying in the living room in the dark, watching the lights on the Christmas tree project needle shadows onto the wall.  I remember giggling over gingerbread houses with my sisters.  I remember trying very hard to keep my brother and sisters from guessing the gift I was giving them, and maybe crying when they figured it out.  I remember setting up the wooden nativity that my Grandpa Horch made.  I remember rolling out dough for ronza on Christmas Eve.  I remember making music with friends in our warm living room.  I remember running hard back to the car after leaving a gift on a doorstep, and laughing about the narrow escapes.  I remember bringing canoe oars in from the garage for the shepherds, and passing the bible as we read from Luke.  I remember sharing a bed with my sister Diana one Christmas Eve at Grandma and Grandpa Bodily’s house in Logan and talking about infinity because we couldn’t sleep.

December 10 - from Michael

Sometimes we, like the shepherds, are simply surprised and overwhelmed by grace; at other times we are prepared when it arrives, like Simeon.  But of all the participants in the first Christmas, it was the wise men who reached beyond their circumstances, and I don't doubt their effort and experience while seeking Christ had an effect on the experience of finding him.

Here are some other thoughts:

• The Wise Men were evidence that Christ would be Messiah not only to the Jews, but for the whole world (which surprised most of the Jews that heard of them).  2 Nephi 29:7 "Know ye not that there are more nations than one?  Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?"

• To the wise men, the star was an unmistakeable sign from God and gave them valuable information, but the unbelieving Jews didn't recognize the star even after they were told about it.  So it will be with signs preceding Christ's 2nd Coming.  D&C 35:8 "For I am God, and mine arm is not shortened; and I will show miracles, signs, and wonders, unto all those who believe on my name."

• The posterity of Lehi recognized the star, from the prophet Samuel's teaching.  But for lack of faith, the Jews had been 400 years without a prophet, until God sent John to preach repentance & prepare people for Christ's ministry.  Amos 3:7 "Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."

Often there is much more left unsaid behind the events recounted in the Bible.  For example, it's fun to think when reading the gospels, "who told this part of the story to Luke or Matthew?", or "why was this important to include, while other details were omitted?"  The wise men are one instance where the back story seems particularly tantalizing: in part because little is known, but also because of what is clear--these were men of strong, motivating faith.  They had likely been watching, waiting for years--and traveled many months (perhaps nearly two years) to Bethlehem.  They were true seekers.  Ether 12:41"And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever.  Amen."

December 8 - from Olivia

This post is a 2 days late - it should have been for the 8th, but she drew this picture today in her journal, so the countdown goes with the 10th.  It is just fun to see how exciting Christmas is to Olivia (and all of my kids). The picture is what she wants for Christmas - a stuffed rabbit and a stuffed dragon (didn't know about the dragon until today) :)

December 7 - Jonathan

Jonathan said he didn't know what to do with this, so I just posted for him. This is a favorite tradition of the family. It is something both Jeff and I did growing up and we love continuing this tradition with our kids.  These photos are from 2009. I could put in any number of photos from many years, but these are a fun representation.  Thank you all of you for helping us carry this tradition on.

December 6 - Audrey

Audrey set up some decorations that she wanted to photograph for this blog entry.  She helped put up a majority of our decorations this year, and did a great job at it. I am really grateful for her help. :)

This is the full layout

Closer details below

Dec 5 - Madeline

Things I like about Christmas

*getting out of school for two weeks
*giving presents
*chocolate
*aebelskivers and bacon for breakfast
*family coming to visit

December 4 - Rachel

I apologize for this photo - Blogger hates me and wants to put streaks in all of my photos lately and I don't know why.  Last night we took the kids to Temple Square to see the lights. We had a fun time and the kids liked standing under the trees full of lights and looking up (and acting dizzy and being silly, of course). I love seeing  Christmas lights. As a child, we would often drive around the neighborhoods at night to see how people decorated their homes. There is something mesmerizing about them especially when the lights seem to be all around us.  In Relief Society on Sunday, we talked about the many references to light in the scriptures that relate to Christ, whether it is the physical light that radiates from Him now, or the figurative light of the gospel. There are many references. So, as I look at these lights, I think of the warmth and peace that comes from light, from good things, and from happiness. In a dark room, when a light goes on, it pushes away the darkness around it, sometimes removing it completely. I am thankful for the light of Christ in my life. May we all have that light with us to help carry us through times that may seem dark or cold, to push away that dark and bring us peace and warmth.

Merry Christmas :)

December 3 - Jeff

Sorry - we forgot to post yesterday!
This is Jeff's post, but I am doing it for him, since we forgot and now he has to work today.

Last year, we had the chance to sing one of the most beautiful Christmas songs I have ever heard. The music is beautiful, but the words are too.  It is called Carol of Joy. Listen carefully to the message in it. It is a good reminder of the purpose of our Savior's life and the Atonement. The first is a video, the second is just the audio. Both are great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vGqOqo5gV0

http://www.archive.org/download/CarolOfJoy/CarolOfJoy-SaturdayEveEdit.mp3

Enjoy the music.

 

December 2--from Dorothy

From Luke:

6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.

 7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.

 8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.

 9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

 10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.

Happy December Sabbath.  May His spirit be with you this sabbath day and throghout the coming week.

Love,   Mom

December 1 --from Richard

Grandma (Elizabeth Rae) Miller

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

May the Christmas season be a good time for all of you, and may treasured memories be part of that.



Love,
Richard/Dad/Fearless/Pop

the why/wherefore

Growing up, I wasn't familiar with the term "Advent calendar," but every night before Christmas, I moved (or watched one of my siblings move) a felt Mary on a donkey one step closer to a manger. Every night I ripped off a link from a green and red paper chain whose 25th link was gold. I had friends who each day they could punch through the top paper to a chocolate beneath.

A homemade Christmas Chain

Now that our family is spread apart, I thought that we could help create both a sense of anticipation and surprise together. Each day someone will post something--a memory, thought, scripture, picture, image, video, etc.--to help us look forward to celebrating Christmas. I imagine that, in past years, we'll call each other and be thinking of each other on Dec 25, but this is a way that we can be in touch beforehand, too.

 love, Amy

p.s. this chain was from http://www.metrofamilymagazine.com/Creative-Parenting/Web-2011/Christmas-Chain-Countdown/