Each year I look forward to my favorite season of the year; Christmas. Each year we put up various decorations. Two Christmas trees are placed in our home, ten stockings are hung by the chimney with care, Santa's are stuffed into every corner. However, my personal favorite Christmas decoration is the porcelain nativity scene that is put up every year. It seems as if this is the hearth of our home each holiday season. Much preparation is put into putting this nativity up. First Mom's old college nursing books are pulled out, they are saved for this reason, and this reason only. Next we have to grab a box of un-opened saltine crackers from the basement. I'll never forget the year when Natalie, after being told to put up the nativity, exclaimed, "But it requires nursing books, and boxes of saltine crackers!"

After the boxes and books are strategically placed on the window seat, a royal blue cloth is draped over, and then, one by one, the fragile figurines are taken out and put into place.This year I had the privilege of putting op our nativity. As I took each figurine out, I had a flood of memories come to me. I laughed as I pulled out the 4 or 5 wise men. I don't think we ever figured out how many were wise men or which one was Joseph. Then there was the shepherd boy, with the top of his staff broken off, the goats, sheep, 2 beautiful camels, a donkey and a cow. These are all spread across the window seat, all facing towards the center, where the most important two pieces of the set go, the mother Mary, and her baby, Jesus.
As I took out the baby Jesus this year I sat and pondered the real meaning of Christmas. For the past few months I've been looking forward to this season. The snow, the lights, the fires, the decorations, the dishes, everything, but I don't think it was until today that I remembered what Christmas is all about. Christ our Savior was born Christmas night. Our Savior was brought to the world that night, and I am so glad that we have dedicated almost an month to celebrating his birth. I encourage all of you to remember the true meaning of Christmas this year. Remember our Savior who came to this earth and atoned for our sins. Merry Christmas to you all! I love you!