Light the World

Lots of our Christmas season began with baking cookies but they didn't seem to last long as there always seemed to be someone we could share them with!  By the time Christmas Eve arrived I had to bake quickly before Christmas Eve night because Jessa was quite concerned that Santa would not have cookies if I didn't make any.  We ended up making Ginger snaps per Jessa's request and some Mini-donught muffins! 

It was also during this Christmas season that we got to be a part of some really neat Christmas opportunites to serve.  Our church encouraged their members to participate in a program called Light The World that gave you ideas to provide a service opportunity for every day.  We got to participate in some fun ways from making supper for Jessa's dance teacher, to sharing Candy Canes with her dancer friends to complimenting others, making personal goals and just trying to be better. 

We are at a time in our society where service opportunities are ones that seem to only be accepted if they are big and grandiose.  My friend Krystyna had started a group where families who were affected by the wildfires from Fort McMurray could sign up to give some Christmas cheer to the families that were affected.  I wanted to be supportive so I signed up.  Not that we have a lot of extra money to give but I thought it would be nice.  However, I was a bit disappointed that my heartfelt and pennies saved up gift would not compare with what some other families would receive.  The site where families signed up became a place for bragging rights it almost seemed as families posted about their abundance of gifts or what they had boughten.  Most ranged in price from $500 to $2000.  I felt bad that our humble gift was nothing in comparison but I have often reflected upon this since. 

I have had to think of the story of the widow's mite or the other Christmas bells story where the poor boy's offering finally made the Christmas bells ring.  It wasn't a lot that we could give but it was something and because of that I know that my gift despite it not being a lot was one that would have been one that was good enough for the Savior. 

It took me the rest of the Christmas season to realize that maybe our focus didn't actually have to be on providing material gifts for others but something more important that I will write about soon a gift that clearly came across as these humble but loving words: You Are NOT Forgotten!