He is the Gift!

Merry Christmas Dear Sisters!

I hope you have had a wonderful, joyful Christmas.  My kids were all in bed a couple hours early tonight.  I think they quite wore themselves out "making merry."  I hope your heart has been filled with the light of Christ this Christmas season.  What a blessed miracle and gift the Savior’s birth and life are for us.

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I love a good Christmas song, and came across this one, and I thought the lyrics and message were profound enough to share.

“He’s Got the Gift” (by Ryan Shupe)

The wise men came from many miles away to see what prophecy foretold

miraculous surprise, tears came to their eyes, and they said...He’s got the gift

Shepherds from afar, followed true the star and the king shook his head in disbelief

hear the angels sing, let salvation ring...He’s got the gift

            Oh come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant, oh come ye, oh come ye, to Bethlehem

The people gathered round to hear his voice the sound of truth and prophecy foretold

with loaves and fishes fed, five thousand people said.... He’s got the gift

Merciful and kind, he even healed the blind and caused the lame to walk again

His fame grew far and wide, well it could not be denied...He’s got the gift

On his shoulders bore, the cross and so much more, and on his head a crown of thorns

and his death it had to be for all the world to see... He’s got the gift

Because only he could give and only he could live to rise again to conquer death and sin

so hear the angels sing, let salvation ring...He’s got the gift

Sing Choirs of Angels, sing in exaltation! ...Christ the Lord is born, Christ the Lord born

Remember that the only gift he asks in return is “a broken heart and a contrite spirit”. 

I hope the Spirit of Christmas will be in your heart throughout this coming week!

You are a blessing in my life!  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Light the World

Dear Sisters,

Merry Christmas!  It feels good to say that.  This is such a wonderful time of year!  I have to share a cute story that made me smile.  

On Monday, the first day of snow this year, I thought it would be funny to pretend that I didn’t know what snow was with my 1^st and 2^nd graders.  First thing in the morning, I gathered them and told them something really weird had happened in the night that I needed to talk to them about.  I described it, and before I could even finish, they were all telling me it was SNOW! They were appalled that I wouldn’t know what that was.  I said, “Well, I can’t figure it out.  It’s cold and wet and making everything so white.  Why is it there?!”  One little boy raised his hand and blurted out, “It’s there because of Baby Jesus, Mrs. Stewart!”  From the mouth of babes.  Even these little ones understand the reason for the season. J

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Speaking of little ones, I just want to share a simple experience about the importance of our examples.  Last Sunday, we were fortunate to hear some great talks from some of the young men in our ward.  Gavin Irwin talked about gratitude and made a cute little list of things he was grateful for using the alphabet.  A couple nights later, I went in to tuck my boys in, and clearly interrupted them, as they said, “Oh man, Mom!  Not yet!  We never make it all the way through!”  I asked, “All the way through what?”  “All the way through the alphabet with things we are grateful for, like that Irwin boy.”  I never would have guess my boys were listening at all during sacrament, but I was so happy to find that they found a good role model to follow.  I listened as they finished taking turns with each letter.  I am grateful for those young men for setting a good example.

Sisters, the Savior set a perfect example for us.  I love the “Light the World” video clip, that shows people following the Saviors example through simple acts of service.  

"Love is the motivating principle by which the Lord leads us along the way towards becoming like Him, our perfect example. Our way of life, hour by hour, must be filled with the love of God and love for others."

-Elder Henry B. Eyring

I want to challenge you sisters to find an opportunity to love, serve, and “light the world” this Christmas Season.  It doesn’t have to be big—just something simple. Follow this link to find some great ideas: 

https://www.lds.org/blog/25-ways-to-lighttheworld-this-christmas?cid=HP_TH_1-12-2016_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL2-2_

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Count your blessings and find joy in the Savior this season!  I hope you have a wonderful week! PS --- Don't forget to come to our fun "Appetizer" Activity this Wednesday at 6pm! (Invite your friends and neighbors!  See you there!

Sincerely,

Lydia 

Be a Little Kinder

Dear Sisters,

What a spiritual feast we had today, with beautiful music and the outstanding talks and lessons on Christ!  I was grateful to be there.  Thank you to those who participated and made it a special experience for me.  Because of you, my thoughts were turned to our Savior, as they should be this time of year.

My favorite quote from the beautiful lesson on living a Christ-centered life was:

“The best measure of true greatness is how Christlike we are.”

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It was pointed out how different the world’s standard of “greatness” can be, but as we are kind and forgiving, like our Savior, we will feel true joy.

“We must learn this simple, glorious truth so that we can experience the sweet joys of the spirit now and eternally.  We must lose ourselves in doing his will.  We must place him first in our lives.” (Pres. Benson)

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What a wonderful time of year to put Christ as the center and remember to be a little kinder during the hustle and the bustle of the holiday season.  Some of the sisters mentioned how good it felt to let someone move ahead of them in the shopping line, or in traffic.  I loved the reminder that the simple acts of kindness can remind people that there is still good in the world and help to “restore humanity.”

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“We can all be a little kinder, a little more generous, a little more thoughtful of one another.  We can be a little more tolerant and friendly to those not of our faith, going out of our way to show our respect for them.  We cannot afford to be arrogant or self-righteous.  It is our obligation to reach out in helpfulness, not only to our own but to all others as well.” (Pres. Hinckley)

Kindness is contagious!  I hope you will all spread some Holiday Cheer by emulating our Savior in your actions this season.  Merry Christmas!  I pray you will all be warm, happy, and bright this Holiday. Please make me aware of any needs-- you are so often my eyes and ears. I love you!

Sincerely,

Lydia

He is Mighty to Save

Dear Sisters,

I hope all of you were able to attend our Stake Conference today.  What a special meeting.  I’m sure we all feel deep gratitude for President Ellis and the time and sacrifice he put into his service.  I am very excited for President Tuck to lead and teach us.  I’m sure he will be just what our Stake needs.

I enjoyed hearing many of your experiences with the Book of Mormon Saturday morning at the Christmas Breakfast.  Your testimonies strengthened mine.  I know that we can always turn to the scriptures for answers and comfort.  It is a wonderful source of truth and guidance.  

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I appreciate all those who accepted the challenge to try to read the scriptures every day, and try finish the Book of Mormon by Christmas.  Even my nine year old Autumn took on the challenge, and I think she will finish before me.  She says it is her favorite book now.  I have had to tell her to “Stop reading the Book of Mormon and come to dinner,” or “go to bed.” A couple times… words I never thought I would say. :)  I testify that great blessings come from reading the Book of Mormon.  Pres. Hinckley promised that as we read the Book of Mormon,

“There will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God”

I hope you will continue your pattern of scripture reading into the new year, or use it as an opportunity to start fresh and make it a habit.

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I recently read the wonderful section when Samuel prophesies of Christ’s birth, and tells the people of the signs to watch for. 

Many of the people don’t believe, and even try to kill Samuel, but some listened and believed and seek for the prophet because they wanted to repent and be baptized.  Those believers watched and waited for a long time.  The unbelievers mocked them and said it was past time.  They set a date for the signs to appear and threatened that if they had not come by that time, the believers would be put to death.  How frightening that must have been.  Those people must have had great faith.  The prophet prayed that Christ would come, and just as Samuel had prophesied, the signs appeared, and there were three days of light.  The unbelievers were amazed and left the believers alone.

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It occurred to me, as I was reading, that Christ was a “Savior” as soon as he came to earth.  He may have been only an infant, but his humble birth saved the lives of all those who believed and looked for the signs of his coming.  He truly is good at “saving”.  I am so grateful for his ability to rescue us.

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 Alma 34:18 “Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is might to save."

Turn to Him, and He will help you through any trial.  I know He loves you!

Sincerely,

Lydia

Christmas is about the Christ

Dear Sisters,

I'm sending my love to each of you as we approach this wonderful time of year!

My sweet mother-in-law gave me a beautiful gift this year.  She made a “Savior” tree with all his different titles on ornaments for us to hang on the tree.  As we hung them, we said each name out loud and there was such a special spirit in the room.  

I was grateful for her thoughtful gift and tender reminder of the “reason for the season.” 

“Without Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy.” (Ezra Taft Benson)

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I would encourage each of you to make an effort to make this a Christ-centered Christmas. 

“It is usually something small—we read a verse of scripture, we hear a sacred carol and really listen to its words, or we witness a sincere expression of love. In one way or another, the Spirit touches our hearts, and we see that Christmas, in its essence, is much more sturdy and enduring than the many minor things of life [that] we too often use to adorn it.

“We realize in these precious moments what we feel and know in our heart—that Christmas is about the Christ.” (Elder Uchtdorf)

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As we remember our Savior this season, our testimonies will be strengthened and I think the spirit will abide in our homes and hearts. 

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Sincerely,

Lydia