Continuing Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas this year! 

Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. A time we look forward to ALL year long! We all look forward to the presents, food, & all that holiday cheer, but we often forget the reason for the season---That is why I did the "12 Days of  "What Christmas means to you" posts. (to see, click the label to the right of the the page that says "12 days of CHRISTmas.") I hope that with the 12 days you've been able to come to understand the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I also hope you've had time to think about "What Christmas means to YOU" personally. Write it down somewhere. You will be glad you did!

Because I had so many entries I decided to just hold mine till this post, to share with my special blog readers :)

"To me Christmas is a time to remember all that Christ has done for us. To repay Him. To give the gift of love. To show love. To be more CHRISTlike. A time to grow closer to Him & strengthen our testimony of Him. A time of happiness. Happiness that #becauseofHim we can start over & again and again. #BecauseofHim we can have hope."

So many people that did the 12 days of Christmas with me said that Christmas was a time of giving, service, family & most importantly a time to remember Christ and His birth. Which is so true! Wouldn't it be great to have this all throughout the year? I think it would. Could you imagine everyone doing one more nice "Christmasy" thing a day. Just think about how much that could mean to someone, who in return might go do something else nice to someone else?

During the Christmas season we all seem to have that mindset that "its Christmas- we need to be nicer" but why can't we do that throughout the whole entire year? Why do we just wait for December or Christmas break to began the Christlike thinking and doing?

Some people think that when Christmas is over so is the happiness, singing, giving, helpfulness, service, caring & love. When Christmas is over do you return to work or school your old self? The you that wasn't as caring & kind? The you that said "oh someone else can help."  During Christmas everyone is that much nicer & that much more caring. So why can't that continue throughout the year? I think we can if we all make a goal to spread Christmas cheer & love all throughout the year!

So will you make one of your New Years resolution to continue the Christmas throughout the year, with me?

SO...Lets keep the Christmas spirit alive. 

Because 

Keep Christ in your heart and Christmas will never end...
-EM

12 days of "What Christmas means to you" Day 12

MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I doubt you read this Christmas day so let me say, "I hope it was fabulous." Thank you SO much for doing and participating in this. It means a lot and I hope you've learned something and realized the true meaning of Christmas!

I DMed a bunch of  "awesome "famous" mormons" and I only got a couple to respond. One of those happened to be one of my most favorite....{drum roll please} AL FOX CARRAWAY! YES! I know I was quite excited myself! Here is what she said, "Christ lives, still today, right now. That means everything. Life is and we are because of Him. In the first chapter of 3rd Nephi the unbelievers set aside a day that they were going to murder all the believers if the sign of Christ's birth did not appear. They literally needed Christ in order to live. So it is with us. To truly live, we need Christ. Happiness is fleeting and fake without Him."

(I know she posted the exact same thing on her Instagram but I promise that she sent this to me before she posted it.)


Merry Christmas & Thank you for reading!
-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you." Day 11

Merry Christmas Eve!

@latterdaysaints said, "Growing up, my mum always put up multiple nativity scenes all around my house. I remember seeing the nativity scene more than the fun decorations in fact. It provided an atmosphere in my home during the Christmas season that was beautiful and spiritual. As I've gotten older, I've realized Christmas isn't about some baby being born to his parents in a stable. It's about a divine Savior being born to the world. His birth foreshadowed a life full of amazing miracles and beautiful struggles that provided hope to all those who knew Him all those who come to know Him now. The sweet baby in the manger was going to grow up to be Christ, our Lord. His example of love and charity speaks to us all during this season I think. Helping those around you is truly what the Christmas Spirit is all about. We give each other gifts wrapped up in beautiful bows on Christmas Day, but in all actuality, #Heisthegift."

What are some of your Christmas Eve traditions?

We always open up a "family gift." Most of the time its a fun new game! And we work. We fix fence or work cows. Some how those things get left to do on Christmas Eve.

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you." Day 10

@lds_testimonies said, "I'm grateful for Christmas because it gives me the chance to reflect on the birth and ministry of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Something I learn every year is that the Christmas spirit is real! It is a time for families to be together and experience the love and healing power of Christ and his atonement. I have a quote that I heard in the MTC (Missionary Training Center) that I always try to live by. It's: "Live like everyday is Christmas." I'm so grateful for Christ and His life and example He is to us all."

What do you learn every year about Christmas? Tell me! I learn how great the Savior is and how he really is apart of our everyday lives if we just slowed down and had a  "Christ" mindset like we do in the Christmas season. 

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you" Day 9

We only have 3 days till Christmas! Hip Hip Hooray!

You may know Ashlee Birk from the blog ( www.themomentswestand.com ) ....She said, "Christmas is so special to me. It means remembering Christ in my life. It means striving to be more like Him. Christmas is a time to reflect upon not only how Christ died for me, but how HE lived for me. Christmas means family and hope and love... But even more it brings to life the love that we all seek every single day. But during this time of year it is every where. People remembering to not only give cheer... But to offer hope. And that is why Christ will always be in Christmas. He is the one who brings us ... And only He can bring us peace... And at Christmas time we all remember His example of how to make the world a better place for those who need it most."

How are you going to continue Christmas?
-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you." Day 8

I hope you are all enjoying my 12 days of "What Christmas means to you." Only 3 more days till Christmas!!

@be_better_daily said "Christmas means to each one of us that no matter what we have done, where we are in life that we all have an opportunity to begin again. Our Savior was born the most humble of setting and showed us that no one is ever too far from him. All we have to do is reach out to his outstretched hand and begin again. #heisthegift of new beginnings."

Please let me know what YOU think about my 12 days of CHRISTmas in the comments below. Tell me what you plan on doing in order to make this Christ a more Christ centered one. Thank you so much for reading!

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you" Day 7

@mormongirlprobz "To me Christmas is a feeling. It's the feeling of excitement and I think that it's the excitement of knowing that you are loved. Remembering how this tiny baby grew up and saved the world because He loved all of us. And that love is reflected through all the service of the season. It's reflected through the love we show our families and friends. It's also a feeling of hope that anything is possible and we can always be better. We will never be left alone and Heavenly Father wants us to succeed. That's what Christmas means to me. ;)"

Remember to see all of the 12 days to click the label below that says "12 days of CHRISTmas"

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you" Day 6

Today is your lucky day! I'm doing two entries!! Annnd we are half way done!

@_child_of_god__  said "Christmas means a lot to me! Christmas, to me is a time to show appreciation  for Christ and His birth. Christmas is the day the Savior was born. Christmas is the season of giving. God sent his Son. We need to give back in as many ways as possible. This season I am looking forward to sharing the gift and giving back to Christ."

@bom365blog ( http://bom365.blogspot.com/ ) "Christ's entire life was about giving. He spent his whole life giving everything he had to others. One small way we can celebrate Him and His life during this Christmas season, is to give generously to others. When we give gifts, and acts of service at this time of year, we celebrate Christ and His amazing life of service."

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you." Day 5

@inspiredbytayan said "This picture explains a lot of Christmas means to me. I believe that Christmas is about celebrating Christ. It's a GIVING and SERVING as he did. Its about celebrating every aspect of his life, but focusing on His birth we can born & live our lives with agency and then we can return to live with Him and our Father in Heaven again.

I truly believe that CHRISTmas is about Christ our Savior and learning to give & serve and he did. At least that's what it means to my family and I."

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you" Day 4

Because I had so many wonderful entries, some days I will be doing not just one but two  "What Christmas means to me!"

Day 4

@friminthefaith said, "To me Christmas reminds me that I can always have love, forgiveness & hope.

@ldstexts "To me Christmas is a great time to grow closer to Jesus Christ, his gospel, and loved ones. It is a time of remembrance of Jesus Christ; his birth, teachings, Atonement, and death. When I think about Him, I grow closer to Him. I love Christmas because of the real reason it is celebrated. The Spirit is so strong when you think and began to understand what Jesus Christ did for us personally. Christmas is a great time to think about this. I just love my Savior!"

Aren't these the best thoughts ever?! I hope this 12 days of Christmas is helping you grow closer to your Savior and helping you remember the true meaning of Christmas!

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you." Day 3

@we.mormons "What does Christmas mean to me? It not only means to be excited for the Christmas presents and the stockings but it's about families and especially about celebrating Christ! This is probably what all the peoples entries say but I mean it will and my heart, and I'm saying what I feel. Even I have the problem with keeping my mind focused on Christ instead of the gifts I'm going to get in the morning. For Christmas this year I made a promise to keep my mind focused on the Savior and my family. I love our Savior and my family. I love our Savior and am grateful for Him and all he has suffered and sacrificed for us. I am grateful for you all and wish you a good holiday!"

Hope you all have a great day! Remember if you what to see all of the days click on the label below that says "12 days of CHRISTmas" and scroll to the bottom.
-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you." Day 2

Day 2

@latterdayteens- "To me, Christmas is love. I like to use Christmas time as a reminder of our Heaven Father + our Saviors love for me. It is such a comforting thought to think that our Father in Heaven loved us so much that he would give His only begotten son. But, in return for their love, I think it is equally important to show our love to them and other around us. So for me Christmas is the greatest time of love."

To see the previous days click the label below that says "12 days of CHRISTmas."

-EM

12 Days of "What Christmas means to you" Day 1

I've asked several other Mormon Instagramers to tell me "What Christmas means to them to do a 12 Days of CHRISTmas.  I started this Sunday on Instagram but decided to share it on here as well so I will have to get caught up.

@jesusisthechrist said, "Christmas is about Christ, our beloved Savior and friend. It about a time to celebrate Him and his birth. God gave us the greatest of all gifts: The son of God. This Christmas I'm setting long term and short term goals on how I better become like & know Jesus Christ."

-EM