A New Tradition Perhaps ?

Last night I shared some of our Christmas traditions.  One of the things that was shared by Bro. Whetman in Quorum meeting yesterday was something he has done this year for the first time.  In trying to teach his 5 year old about the birth of the Savior they read Luke 2 and set up their Nativity scene.  I thought that was a pretty awesome thing so tonight for FHE we did that.  The kids all took part and yes Jack set the donkey up on the scene.  Andy was determined to set up the camel and I think Natty took care of the star and the angel.  The boys handled the shepherds and the lambs and each of the kids placed a Wiseman.  I was showing them what to do in the beginning and set up Joseph and Mary.  Mary in our set is holding the baby Jesus so I placed him as well.  I don't know how powerful it was for them.  I hope they learned something from it and that it brought to their minds the importance of the Savior and our celebrating His birth. 

I shared with the the following quote from President Monson in this months First Presidency Message in the Ensign. 

When we have the spirit of Christmas, we remember Him whose birth we commemorate at this season of the year: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11)

In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in commemorating that Christmas season.  I wonder if we might profit by asking ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give to Him or to others at this prcious season of the year?

May I suggest that our Heavenly Father would want each of us to render to Him and to His Son the gift or obedience.  I also feel that He would ask us to give of ourselves and not be selfish or greedy or quarrelsome, as His precious Son suggests in the Book of Mormon:

"Verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who ...stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. 

"Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away" (3 Nephi 11:29-30).   

I am grateful for the gift of the Savior.  I am grateful for all that He does for me and my family.  I am grateful that through Him we can be clean, we can be pure, we can return to live with our Heavenly Father.  I hope that setting the Nativity Scene and discussing the Savior as a new tradition will be one that helps each of us more fully remember the true meaning of Christmas and strive more earnestly to follow Him.