"The BEST time of the year... When Christmas comes to town"

Christmas is my absolute FAVOURITE time of year. I love all the lights, the Christmas decorations, the Christmas songs, Christmas dinners, parties, being with family and of course it's one of the only times of the year where everyone is focused on Christ and his birth.

Usually I'm wanting to put the tree up and sing carols in September but this year I decided to cool it and do it  all in December and not get all stressed over everything. I absolutley love Christmas films, all of them I could watch over and over again until Christmas day. The grinch I think is so amazing... "what if Christmas," he thought, "didn't come from a store... what if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more." I love that quote from the film. Recently I went Christmas shopping, and it was soooo busy you wouldn't even believe. So many people stressing about what gifts they were going to by, stressing that the perfect gift would be sold out by now, it's like CHILL OUT... They really don't fully understand the TRUE meaning of Christmas. It's not about the expensive gifts, the designer clothes, money etc. Christmas is all about giving, families, friends, love, peace, joy and hope. I'm not going to lie, I have had to tell myself this a few times over the years so this year I have decided that I'm going to do it differently. I have so much to be grateful for and this time of year I get to spend all of my time with them things and really think about the birth of Christ and all that he has done for me. " May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in spirit, taking with us a tender, caring heart as our gift the Saviour." (President Thomas S. Monson.) So, instead of thinking of all the gifts that I want for MYSELF this year I am thinking of what ways I can have a more tender and caring heart for my Saviour.

On Sunday we had our ward's Christmas Nativity- IT WAS AMAZINGGGG!!! All the Primary Children were dressed up as Mary, Joseph, the wise men, Shepherds and Angels and sang so beautifully and reminded us all of the birth of Christ. I just loved it. It was soo cute and they brought such a lovely spirit to the ward. Afterwards (because we had finished early) everyone stayed in the hall and talked with one another, it was so lovely to see everyone getting along and so happy with each other, this is why I love Christmas! From the spirit that it brings, it makes everyone forget about troubles that they are having or how bad their year has been,  and makes them happy instead and look forward to the New Year ahead with their loved ones. So to finish off this blog post, to anyone that is reading.... MERRY CHRISTMAS.... I wish you so much joy, happiness and peace as you go through this beautiful season <3