New Year's: Look Not behind Thee

Now that Christmas is over, the New Year is rapidly approaching; and since I arrived home last December, this is a great opportunity for me to evaluate the past year of my life in terms of what I have accomplished in comparison to the previous year while I was still in Malaysia. It is hard to compare one year to another as the experiences and opportunities that are available are so different, but I think in this case it is a good thing. A special opportunity to see where I am in terms of moving forward in my life.

CHRISTMAS!

  

Let me begin by saying that I LOVE Christmas! There is just something special about this time of year. I wish that we could keep the spirit of Christmas in the air all year long.

It sure has been a whirlwind December. And with school getting out late this year I have had to play a little catch up the past few days. Later today we are going to have a family party over at my Grandpa's house. I am super excited because my Uncle and his wife are visiting from Arizona! Should be so great! My Mom and I are going to finish the buckeye cookies and the oreo truffles by dipping them in chocolate then let them set up for a while before we head over. I am stoked! I hope they turn out good. It's my first time making them.

The other day I got a message from a recent covert of mine asking what he should do on Christmas day. He was  baptized earlier this year. It really made me thankful for the knowledge I have and the many Christmases I have been able to celebrate. It really made me think about what Christmas means to me. It's not about the tree, and the presents and the stockings and the parties and the music that is played in the stores starting in November (although I thoroughly enjoy those things!)...it's about celebrating the greatest gift given to mankind - Jesus Christ. We take time to celebrate His birth and ponder on His life and example, and of course His gift to us - His Atonement and Resurrection.

Here's the link to the 2010 First Presidency Christmas Devotional definitely worth a watch!

In the true spirit of Christmas here's a biblical account in Luke Chapter 2. I included the whole chapter because I love it so much and I like the description of Christ's childhood.

Luke Chapter 2

Heavenly messengers herald the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem—He is circumcised, and Simeon and Anna prophesy of his mission—At twelve years of age, he goes about his Father’s business.

 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all ^athe world should be ^btaxed.

 2(And this ^ataxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called^aBethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

 5To be taxed with Mary his ^aespoused wife, being great with child.

 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

 7And she brought forth her ^afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the ^binn.

 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the ^aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you^agood tidings of great ^bjoy, which shall be to all people.

 11For unto you is ^aborn this day in the city of David a ^bSaviour, which is Christ the ^cLord.

 12And this shall be a ^asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

 14^aGlory to God in the highest, and on earth ^bpeace, good will toward men.

 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

 16And they came with ^ahaste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

 18And all they that heard it ^awondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

 19But Mary kept all these things, and ^apondered them in her heart.

 20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

 21And when eight days were accomplished for the ^acircumcisingof the child, his name was called ^bJESUS, which was so ^cnamed of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

 22And when the days of her ^apurification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

 23(As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the ^awomb shall be called holy to the Lord;)

 24And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of ^aturtledoves, or two young pigeons.

 25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name wasSimeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

 26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

 27And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

 28Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,

 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

 30For mine eyes have seen thy ^asalvation,

 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

 32A ^alight ^bto lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

 33And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

 34And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is ^aset for the ^bfall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

 35(Yea, a sword shall ^apierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

 36And there was one Anna, a ^aprophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

 37And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with ^afastings and prayers night and day.

 38And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for ^aredemption in Jerusalem.

 39And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

 40And the child grew, and ^awaxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the ^bgrace of God was upon him.

 41Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the ^afeast of the passover.

 42And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

 43And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

 44But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

 45And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

 46And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the^atemple, sitting in the midst of the ^bdoctors, ^cboth hearing them, and ^dasking them questions.

 47And all that heard him were astonished at his ^aunderstandingand answers.

 48And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

 49And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? ^awist ye not that I must be about my ^bFather’s business?

 50And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

 51And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was^asubject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her^bheart.

 52And Jesus ^aincreased in ^bwisdom and stature, and in ^cfavour with God and man.