The Spirit of Christmas

It's Christmas time and in spite of all of life's challenges, I recognize the spirit and God's hand in my life. I have witnessed and been the recipient of many kindnesses. My heart has been touched and is filled with gratitude. The Christmas spirit has been sweet and gentle and it has settled on my life so softly that it has been easy to overlook its simplicity. I have learned that it is imperative to pay attention and to be still and recognize God. Sometimes the spirit of Christmas is reverent and sacred and not necessarily festive ... but quiet ... and holy. That is the spirit of Christmas I feel this year.
The Christmas spirit is what makes this season so precious ... President Thomas S Monson quoted the following in a talk, it is by an unknown author;

I am the Christmas Spirit.

I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide in pleased wonder.

I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.

I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the glad old way.

I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.

I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind them hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.

I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears--tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.

I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to come.

I come softly into the still, white home of pain; and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.

In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.

I am the Christmas Spirit.

I usually write a poem for the holidays. I didn't write one this year. Instead though, I am inspired by God's unconditional love and strengthened by my testimony of that love and touched by the sweet peace that His spirit brings to my life. May all of my friends and family be touched by his spirit and invite Him to stay in your heart always.

Merry Christmas!