Merry Christmas

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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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