The holidays are always an exciting and busy time of year. The activities multiply exponentially as the calendar ticks closer to Christmas. For me, this has been already, and will continue to be an extra busy season. Dave and I and the other four kids welcomed our new baby, Bonnie Sweet Ellis, on November 9th. We are all thrilled she’s here safe and sound, and I am thrilled she came a week early!

Of course, as luck would have it, I picked my longest and most difficult labor as the one to do without pain meds. However, with many thanks to Anne Swanson, www.hypnobirthinglasvegas.com, April Kermani, CNM, the nursing staff at St. Rose de Lima hospital and my sweet husband, I still count it as a great experience.

During my extended labor, I had plenty of time to sit quietly and listen to relaxing music. One of the songs I listened to several times was a favorite instrumental version of O Holy Night.

I thought of my circumstances compared to Mary’s. Here I sat in a jetted tub in a hospital 5 minutes from home with a staff of people watching over me, while she labored in a stable, in a busy city far from home.

I wonder how she felt as she went through that experience. How much did she know of the gift her child would be to the world? Was she comforted by angels during her hours of need? Had she already received a testimony of the divine purpose of her son’s life?

What a gift that we can pause and remember, each year, the wondrous gift that was given to us on that Holy Night. That night, and the Savior’s whole life which followed, are the greatest gift that we can share with our families, loved ones, neighbors and friends. My hope for this issue is that you will be inspired to find a new person to reach out and share that gift with this month.

Merry Christmas, and all the best.

Editor@DesertSaintsMagazine.com

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