During this time of year, it is so easy to get stressed about what gifts to give and caught up in all the sales and lights, but every year during this time of year I always have a moment where the true meaning of Christmas makes it appearance into my heart.
Through church, I have a great calling of teaching Faith in God or Activity Days. Let me tell you, it has to be the greatest calling ever. I help conduct a class two times a month with girls ages 8-11. We work on service project, talents, articles of faith, and learning about the gospel and trying to feel the spirit. Sometimes that classes are just wild with activities and sometimes they are just sweet, but everytime I come away feeling so thankful that I have the opportunity to get to know these sweet girls.
Last year we started the tradition of going Christmas caroling as our last activity for the year. We make special gifts the previous meeting to give to the people we carol to and decide on the songs we are going to sing. We go caroling to 2-3 homes then at the end of the night, one of the girls mother invites us to her gorgeous Christmas decorated house for hot chocolate and treats where we sing some more Christmas carols and the girls get all their giggles out before going home.
This year we made cute raindeer ornaments out of popsickle sticks and decorated candles.
This year we decided to focus on caroling to two widowed sisters in our ward who have in some way or another made an impact on our ward and on our own families. When we arrived at their homes, immediately when the door opened, you could feel the spirit and the tears filled their eyes as these sweet girls sang with the purest voices. And afterwards, the smiles on each womens faces and the girls faces were priceless.
These are the type of services that show the true meaning of Christmas. During this time of year we should be celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ by being like him and serving others. I can tell you the simple act of going Christmas caroling brought the spirit and enough joy into my heart to last for a long time and I know these girls felt it as well.
