Interruptions - Making Room

 

We do things differently at Christmas time. …. We interrupt the ordinary rhythm of life to make room for something holy. We make room for remembering, for giving, for forgiveness, for hope, for love.  We make room for Jesus. Just like those first witnesses when he was born. The first Christmas was an interruption that made room for something more, something better. If you could choose to have been there that night I wonder who you would choose to be. Would you be the tender Joseph who approached the night with quiet care? Would you be the gentle mother who pondered the things of holiness in her heart? Would you be the humble shepherds and run with the sound of good news or the wise men from the East journeying far to worship.   Each of them experienced the first Christmas differently and their stories remind us that anyone may serve as a witness, …. We can all add our voices, just like that first choir of angels did. Perhaps you would choose to be one of them.  … Together they sang the song that still echoes through hearts today, a song inspired by a gift. And Christmas is a time of gifts. ….

What makes Christmas so special is it was the giving the most unobtainable gift of all, the gift of a baby boy who’d offer his life for all of us. … Sent straight from heaven, wrapped in swaddling clothes on that first Christmas… .  May we all acknowledge and share our witness of the greatest gift the world has ever received and may that gift interrupt our lives and lead us to live differently. 

 David Butler in closing remarks for “Witnesses of Christ” 
(starts about minute 43)

God Through Us

Observe!

A woman who knows heaven
better than I do said to me;
God does not come to you
God comes through you. 
....
And when I hear God say: Observe!
I notice, and I, the little particle, become a wave
as God comes not to me but through me

and we move. 
.....
And I hear and I see, and wavelike I move
for I have learned the movements of God
who comes through me

Carol Lynn Pearson

God can become part of our very beings. God and I can be one as I "observe", act, and do what He would do. I try to let him move through me. 

The Christ Child - A Nativity Story

 

Christmas Message

 When we sing “Silent Night,” we know the life of that Babe of Bethlehem did not begin there, nor did it end on Calvary. In a premortal realm, Jesus was foreordained by His Father to be the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of all humankind. He was foreordained to atone for us. He was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). 

He came to make immortality a reality and eternal life a possibility for all who would ever live (see 1 Corinthians 15:20–22; 3 Nephi 27:13–14).

At this sacred Christmas season, we testify that our loving Heavenly Father “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

 

Russell M. Nelson, Dallin H. Oaks and Henry B. Eyring (November 26, 2021) First Presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 

Ready for Christmas

 The Cow and the Coyote are ready for Christmas

downtown Kirkland

Beautiful Evenings at the Lake

 

Kirkland's Marina Park is decorated for Christmas

The Puddle Jumpers look like they are rushing towards the gazebo, tree, and lake

Most evenings a man is playing a keyboard and singing Christmas hymns

(see him on the right next to the bench)

This night a woman was having pictures taken

One of a Kind Tree

 Weeping Elm Tree

on grounds of the Historic Utah County Courthouse, Provo, Utah

Ulmus Americana - weeping willow and elm tree grafted together

It was purchased and planted in 1927 

Despite many efforts, people have not been able to create another tree like this. 

Seedlings grow but don't achieve the same tabletop shape. 

Read more here and here