“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.”
Thomas S. Monson
Christmas is swiftly approaching, and to ensure you have a memorable and enjoyable holiday season, I want to share a few tips to help you make the most of it and get the most out of this special time.
1) Do not spend what you do not have. If you cannot afford it, do not put yourself in debt to impress others or pretend to live a life you do not have. You have nothing to prove to anyone. Do your best, but do not give yourself the gift of debt going into the new year.
2) Be grateful for the little things… it is the thought that counts. Life is tough for many right now, so be thankful for whatever you receive this year. Whether you are young or old, do not be disappointed if you do not get that new iPhone you were hoping for. You may not know the struggles your parents or family are facing. Whatever you receive, accept it with joy, knowing that Christmas is never about you. It is never about how many gifts you get. The greatest gift you have is life, and Jesus came to save the world (John 3:16).
3) Keep the cameras out. If your family gathers this holiday season, keep your camera ready. Often, those photos will be all you have of your cherished loved ones. Record videos of the older ones sharing life stories and of the young ones playing together. These are moments you will want to look back on, and you will be grateful you captured them. Yes, I know we all want to live in the moment, too, but trust me, these memories will be invaluable later. Life is short, and you never know when these moments may be gone.
4) Do not center your Christmas just around gifts. Above all, Christmas is not about what is wrapped in a box with your name on it. It is a time of reflection on the greatest gift of all—JESUS. He is the reason we celebrate!
“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 (KJV)
“Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family and to create memories that will last forever. Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift. The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift, but we are able to share it with others on Christmas and every other day of the year.”
Joel Osteen
Raphael R. Roker 