Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Merry Christmas

* * * * * * * * *
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.
~ Isaiah 9:6


~ JOY ~

...I bring you good tidings of great JOY...
~ Luke 2:10 ~


...their hearts were swollen with JOY,
unto the gushing out of many tears,
because of the greatness of God...

~ 3 Nephi 4:33 ~

~

~ Mine & Aaron’s wedding ~ Aaron Jr’s birth ~
These are both experiences in my life when I have felt the
kind of JOY which caused my heart to swell & tears to gush
out. Of course there are other experiences I could mention,
but these are just a couple of the big ones...

As I have been looking back on my life & reflecting on the
times when I have felt that kind of JOY, it has caused me to
try to imagine the JOY that was felt around the world & in
heaven as we all rejoiced at the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Each year, as I watch the movie Mr. Krueger’s Christmas
(with Jimmy Stewart), the part where Mr. Krueger kneels down
& talks to the baby Jesus & tells Him that He loves Him,
I can’t help but feel the Spirit & shed tears.

My favorite part of decorating for Christmas each year
is setting up the nativity set. I always make sure it is in
the most visible spot in the living room for us to see...

Just as Mr. Krueger did, I try to imagine myself
kneeling beside the humble manger which cradled our Savior,
the King of heaven & earth, & it brings tears to my eyes.
I would have felt such JOY & honor at the privilege of being
there to bow down, worship Him, & tell Him that I love Him.
If the JOY I feel at just thought of His birth causes my heart to
swell & tears to gush out even now as I write this, then
imagine the JOY we experienced when it actually happened
over two thousand years ago.

The feelings of Love, Peace, Hope, & JOY that accompanied
His birth that night must have been absolutely wondrous.

Imagine the JOY.

~

our Christmas with (without) Aaron

We love you all... & we wish you all a JOYful Christmas.
Let us all allow ourselves to feel the Love, Peace, Hope, & JOY of
this wondrous & miraculous season & invite Christ into our hearts.

Love always, Leslie * Aaron Jr.


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2 comments:

Marianne said...

Beautifully expressed!

Tiffany said...

The photo taken of you and Aaron Jr at your husband's grave certainly tugs at my heartstrings. It is beautiful and heartbreaking all mixed together. Happy New Year!