I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, and as we spend time with our families, friends, and loved ones, remember the supernal gift that God gave us so many years ago of His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

From Luke II:

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And 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.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

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Growing up, my family always had a Christmas program family night on Christmas Eve.  We have a fire in the fireplace, read Luke II in the New Testament, my mom recited A Visit from St. Nicholas, we sang Christmas hymns, and most years (mostly when we were younger, but even some years that we were older as well) we would act out the nativity.

This movie was also always part of our program — its a DVD from the LDS Church entitled Luke II, (re-released later as The Nativity), with Amy Grant’s Breath of Heaven overlaid in the background.

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I found this clip from A Charlie Brown Christmas in which Linus reminds us all what Christmas is really all about.

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I was on Google Maps today, and saw that Google is offering a 3D live Santa tracking application integrated with Google Earth!  It looks like it is integrated with NORAD — they’ve got a fun little 3D video with Santa flying around different world landmarks.

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The LDS Church published a list of ideas on their Christmas website of how to have a “more worshipful” Christmas. These ideas help us find ways to have a more Christ-centered remembrance of His birth. Here are a few that I liked:

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