Prince of Peace

Sometimes blog posts (like this one) sit half-finished in my drafts folder for over a month. I titled this post and picked out the picture in hopes of capturing the Spirit of Christmas we enjoyed this year. It just feels incomplete to post about Christmas Day without also writing about the wonderful things that invited the true reason for Christmas in to our home and family. But, it sits and sits and sits, because sometimes it is so hard to put these feelings in to words. 

This year the kids sang a beautiful song called "Prince of Peace" at our ward Christmas Party early in December. It got me thinking of that incredible title for our Savior. What greater gift is there than the true peace that only Christ can bring? 

Every year our advent calendar includes a scripture each day. In the past we've studies titles of Christ, prophesies about Him, events from His life, reference to Him in the Book of Mormon, etc. This year, we read through The Living Christ. It was beautiful to study around Christmas.

On Christmas Eve the kids did a lovely nativity. Hazel took it upon herself to direct the production. She and Eliza pieced together costumes and planned how it present the story. Their hard work paid off because it was very sweet. Orson as Joseph pulling Brenna as Mary on the "donkey" was adorable. They ended by singing "Prince of Peace" again.

The evening before Christmas Eve we took Jamie on a "date" to see the Temple Square lights. We also got to experience the Giving Machines for the first time. Instead of giving gifts to each other this year, the kids purchased three chickens and soccer equipment for others. It was probably my favorite part of the month. 

I'm thankful for these small moments that added up to make a December full of the Spirit of Christ. What I've written is definitely inadequate to express the joy and especially the peace He brings to our lives.