by Danielle Ellis

Between the activities, shopping, gift-making, family activities and parties, the entire month of December can get swallowed up before you realize that you have let another year go by without enough emphasis on Christ’s birth. To help get you and yours into the real spirit of the season, here is a list of activities, books and ideas you can use to enhance your Christmas in meaningful ways.

Attend the Live Nativity

Yes it will be cold out and yes you know the story by heart. But when the angels sing and the donkeys bray and you see that baby in the manger, the story comes to life like it does in no other way. (see ad on page 17)

Sing Christmas Hymns

Pull out your hymnal or download them from a website (http://www.nevada.edu/~blake/Christmas.carols.html), sit down at the piano, sing a cappella or go caroling to the neighbors. It doesn’t matter the format, singing brings the Spirit and the spirit of the season. And it’s fun!

Read the Story

Read the original accounts of the first Christmas from the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Act them out with your children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews. It will help them learn, plus it will be good photo fodder.

Spread Some Cheer

Take goodies to friends, neighbors and those who might be off your beaten path, but still in need of Christmas cheer. Maybe include an invitation to enjoy some of the other activities with you, like the ward Christmas party, the Live Nativity, or a caroling outing.

Have a Movie Party

Pop some popcorn and enjoy a night in with classics like Mr. Krueger’s Christmas or It’s a Wonderful Life, or even A Christmas Story. Some stories are good, and some are tradition. You decide which is which!

Be a Secret Santa

This doesn’t have to be a money or time-intensive venture. Find someone close by (inside your house?) to write fun notes to, and do favors for them. Enjoy the gift of giving anonymously.

Get Some Help

Some of us still need a little help pulling lessons and ideas together. A book on the topic might just work for you. Deseretbook.com has over 600 Christmas items, including music, Christmas stories, books on tape and more. My personal favorites are Christmas Jars; The Christmas Box; and Stars, Reflections on Christmas. Those will get you started.

Most of all, enjoy this great season. Plan carefully so that your activities will help you feel joy, not feel harried and overwhelmed. Peace on earth has to begin in our hearts—so don’t let any activities, even the good ones, make you feel overwhelmed. Merry Christmas!