Ward Christmas Party

Friday was our Ward Christmas Party. This year it was a little different than ones I have been to in the past. We had dinner which was yummy baked potatoes and salad. After dinner they had the children go to the primary room where they had a little lesson about the reason for Christmas. The adults went into a different room and we had a little lesson as well. The bishop talked to us about some things that don't often get talked about at Christmastime. He talked about John the Baptist and how is mission on earth was to prepare the way for Christ (see Luke 1:76). He talked about the shepherds and how they came to Christ, and after they left they "made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child" (Luke 2:17). And he talked about Andrew, one of the apostles, and how Andrew was a follower of John the Baptist and when he heard about Christ from John the Baptist, Andrew went to his brother Simon Peter and told them that he had found the Messiah and brought Simon Peter to him (John 1:40-42). He then told us that during this Christmas season and at all times it is important that we to bring people to Christ and to share our testimonies and let others know about what we believe. We then watched the movie The Nativity and they gave us copies so that we can share with our family and friends. I thought it was wonderful that they helped us remember Christ and what Christmas is all about. Often we get caught up in the presents and other things about Christmas, and this really helped remind us of why we celebrate Christmas. After the short lesson we all went back into the cultural hall and had some yummy desserts that everyone had brought to share.