Reason for the Season

     Christmas. Honestly, the most amazing time of year. My favorite time of year! It's always cold [: Crisp, clear, frosty mornings. Hot chocolate. Christmas lights. Big coats and boots. Bing Crosby and Nat King Cole on the radio. The glowing tree in the living room. The fireplace at home always warm and bright. Lots and lots of singing. The never-ending cooking and baking of amazing treats! There are so many things to do with family and friends. But the thing that I know is my most favorite part of the holiday season is the way I feel. And something even more wonderful is that everyone feels this same way too. Even those who aren't particularly religious. I can't exactly put my finger on it, but seems to me that everyone is just more grateful, less selfish, and more focused on making other people happy. In essence, people are more Christlike, whether they're doing it consciously or just involuntarily getting caught up in the "spirit of giving" atmosphere that everyone else is creating. How cool is it that pretty much everyone of every faith can share the same emotion? It makes me so excited!
     I love President Monson's message about having the spirit of Christ during Christmas. To be honest it makes me a little bit sniffly every time I watch it. Embarrassing! But that little girl is so darn cute, and the principle she teaches her family is so pure. The spirit of Christ; that's the happiness that everyone feels during the holidays! Some of 'em just don't know it. [: I love the Christmas season most of all because the most important things in my life - my family and my Savior - are the emphasis of the whole celebration we call "Christmas." Words get in the way when I sit here and try to express my love for Jesus Christ, who I know came to Earth to suffer for the sins of the world so that I could live with my Heavenly Father and my family again. And despite the fact that he was coming to perform that amazing sacrifice, despite the fact that he was the Son of God; a king, he was brought into the world in a stable, among farm animals. This only strengthens my testimony that he knows every one of God's children personally, from the highest to the humblest.
     I love this time of year. I'm so happy right now. Part of that is probably owed to the fact that I'm DONE with finals and will on a plane bound for Seattle in about four hours. And the rest of it is just a result that of this special season and everything that comes with it. [: Merry Christmas!!