Christmas Musings

This may sound familiar to some of you... it's my Christmas letter. I wanted to share it with the rest of you.

I am grateful for Christmas and the opportunity we have to celebrate the birth of our Savior. To reflect not only on his birth, but the circumstance in which he was born. The images we see portray the event as almost romantic. What is romantic about a stable, basically a barn where cows, horses, and sheep slept, pooped and ate. Can you imagine the smell as Mary rounded the corner? There were no nurses to pamper and help with Mary’s needs. There were no clean instruments, beds or sheets. No Doctor to catch the baby. No medication to help numb the pain. Just Joseph and I’m sure the spirit to help guide. This King of Kings was born in the most humblest of circumstances. I ask myself why? Because He himself is the most humblest of human beings. As I have listened to other commentaries on Christ's birth one in particular hit me hard. His birth was the first of many rejections. No room in the Inn. When I think of his birth my heart is softened and it makes me even more grateful for the things that I have been given. Especially as I reflect on the birth of my own daughter this year. Giving birth is a miracle. No matter if it happens in a Hospital, home or stable. In a way I guess it is romantic. I am grateful to Mary, the one who birthed our Savior and suffered in those conditions. I am grateful to Joseph who was there by Mary’s side, calming, coaxing and supporting. I am especially grateful for my Savior. For His birth, His life, His example, and His atonement. It is because of Him and his beautiful gospel that I strive to be a better more humble human being.