The best way to celebrate in December is by remembering the real reason for the season, the birth of Jesus Christ, who gave everything for us. That's why we do Light The World, so we can be a little more like Jesus and give a little back to him. That's why we also make sure to learn more of him and in our family that means our Countdown to Christmas scripture study.
As always we read a scripture or scriptures each day and answer questions about them and we each get a mint M&M if we answer correctly. We always tell the kids it's an open book test. They can always turn back to scriptures in order to find the answers or get hints if they're young enough. If they don't participate (because of a bad attitude) or are on their way back from another fair convention, this time in Texas, and are only on the phone for prayer and to listen to the scripture, they don't get an M&M.
Nichole and Jr. both had concerts on December 1. Jr.'s concert attire was ugly sweater, which his teacher explained as something very very very Christmasy. He also wore a white and red striped face mask because it looked like a candy cane.
After Nichole's concert, she had an activity so she didn't get home until after we had prayer and read the scripture and got off the phone with Jeremy and Marcus because they both went to the convention together so as they traveled, they both joined us by phone for family prayer. But when Nichole walked in the door, I mentioned that the scripture we read was 2 Nephi 25:26 and she immediately said, "Oh, that's the one about talking about Christ and rejoicing in Christ..." That immediately earned her an M&M. If she knows what the scripture is by the scripture reference, that's an immediate reward.
The scripture says, "And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." And that is why we celebrate the season. And that is what we try to teach all year long. That is why family scripture study and family prayer and gospel discussions in our home are so important.
That is the best thing to celebrate, even though it is fun to celebrate other things like Eat a Red Apple Day on December 1 and National Fritters Day on December 2 and National Cookie Day on December 4. And fun Santa things from time to time (including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day).
The emphasis should never be taken away from the Savior, however. So we daily have our family prayer and Countdown to Christmas scripture study and we remember Christ and we rejoice in Christ and we teach our children that "...through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel" (3rd article of faith). That is worth celebrating.
