Keeping Christmas Traditions Alive

 As the countdown to Christmas continues, we search for things as a family to serve and love those around us. We are participating in  the annual #lighttheworld campaign. Each day there is a different challenge on how to serve those around us or to remember the true reason for the season. Additionally, there was a chance to donate at the "Giving Machines." They have them all over world at different places. One of which is always in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at Temple Square.

We talked about it as a family and decided that we wanted to go up and donate. Lucky Dragon wanted to give a flock of chickens and Koala Bear wanted to to donate 100 meals to people in need. They had fun with the experience. They kept asking to go back to and do it again. They are so blessed so we want to help them see that through their actions others can be blessed too.

 All of Temple Square is always beautiful this time of year. The trees are exquisite. They also have highs schools perform in the main building lobbies throughout the day. Some of the choirs are fantastic. I have to stop a few times just to feel the power as I go about my busy day. It was fun to share that with my family. Lucky Dragon and Koala Bear loved the bell choir by Jordan High School. We sat and watched from the front row seats.

After the choir concerts we went to watch the new "Christ Child" movie in the legacy theater.

As we left the building it was dusk and the lights for Temple Square had been lit. It was beautiful! We walked around the square. It was perfect. A little bit chilly, but not bitter cold. There were also not as many people as there would have been later in the day. 

  On our way back to the parking lot, we stopped at saw the Macy's window displays. Each year they make new displays out of candy. It was fun to see those in wonder. We walked through City Creek Mall. The mall is beautifully decorated and also has plenty of Christmas activities. As you walk you can follow the story of A Christmas Carol as you go.

As we countdown to Christmas we have several advent calendars. One is a Harry Potter Christmas. Another is Frozen Christmas. We have a #lighttheworld advent calendar that each day we discuss as a family how we can, either together or as an individual, serve others around us each day. We also have a Disney advent calendar tree to add an ornament each day. The best is a small manager that as we do acts of service for each other we can add a strand of straw to be ready for the Savior to arrive Christmas day. 

I love this time of year and the extra focus on serving others.