Where Oh Where Have I Been?

WHAT PROPHETS HAVE SAID ABOUT SANTA CLAUS

Borrowed from: ldsliving.com

I thought these were beautifully shared insights.  

While most of my boys know who Santa is, as a family and individuals we still have the spirit of Santa in our home and hearts.  I believe in the Spirit of Christmas and with that comes the jolly, bearded, fat man.  You can never make me believe that he doesn't live in the hearts of children young and old.  I'm a believer in Santa and always will be.  Whether Santa is a person dressed up, or a person doing secret kind acts for others, it's the spirit that matters.

I hope you enjoy these excerpts from our LDS prophets.

What Prophets Have Said About Santa Claus

LDS LIVING STAFF - DECEMBER 01, 2014

Is Santa Claus a part of your Christmas tradition? Check out what a few Church leaders have said about Old Saint Nick.

Artwork by Greg Olsen and featured in Stars Were Gleaming. 

David O. McKay

It is a glorious thing to have old St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas Eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue. . . .

Good old St. Nicholas has long since gone the way of all mortals, but the joy he experienced in doing kindly deeds is now shared by millions who are learning that true happiness comes only by making others happy—the practical application of the Savior’s doctrine of losing one’s life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.

Quoted in Stars Were Gleaming, a beautiful new book featuring the artwork of Greg Olsen.

Artwork by Greg Olsen and featured in Stars Were Gleaming. 

Boyd K. Packer

I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well-fed gentleman with the red suit and the white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our home. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and good, and all of them are for children--except, I suppose, the mistletoe.

From "Keeping Christmas," a 1962 BYU Devotional.

John A. Widtsoe

There are men who object to Santa Claus, because he does not exist! Such men need spectacles to see that Santa Claus is a symbol; a symbol of the love and joy of Christmas and the Christmas spirit. In the land of my birth there was no Santa Claus, but a little goat was shoved into the room, carrying with it a basket of Christmas toys and gifts. The goat of itself counted for nothing; but the Christmas spirit, which it symbolized, counted for a tremendous lot.

Quoted in Stars Were Gleaming, a beautiful new book featuring the artwork of Greg Olsen.

Artwork by Greg Olsen and featured in Stars Were Gleaming. 

Howard W. Hunter

How is Christmas regarded today? The legend of Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, the decorations of tinsel and mistletoe, and the giving of gifts all express to us the spirit of the day we celebrate; but the true spirit of Christmas lies much deeper than these. It is found in the life of the Savior, in the principles He taught, in His atoning sacrifice—which become our great heritage.

Emphasis added. From "The Real Christmas," a 1972 BYU Devotional.

Jeffrey R. Holland

The memory of that [first Christmas] night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph—and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby—that’s how Christmas began.

Emphasis added. From "Without Ribbons and Bows," printed in the December 1994 Ensign. 

Artwork by Greg Olsen and featured in Stars Were Gleaming. 

Ezra Taft Benson

As a boy, I loved going to the canyon to cut our Christmas tree, and I always tried to get one that reached to the ceiling. Though we received only a few gifts, our stockings were filled with fruit, nuts, and candy, and Santa always left something. Like all children, we suffered terrible anticipation at Christmastime--until, that is, we happened onto the Santa Claus costume in the bottom of an old trunk. Suddenly the secret was out. So that was why Father was always out doing chores when Santa came on Christmas morning. 

From The Joys of Christmas, a booklet of President Benson's testimony on the true meaning of the season. Available as an eBook. 

BONUS:

Young Women General President Ardeth G. Kapp

Our family has established a family tradition. Each Christmas Eve, we gather together around the tree. With the lights low and the fire burning in the fireplace, we ask the question once again, the most important question of the year, “Is it okay if we believe one more year?”—not only believe in the traditions of childhood with Santa Claus and reindeer, but more importantly in the message of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birthday we are celebrating. 

From "Christmas Remembered," printed in the December 1988 New Era.

The Reason Behind Christmas

I'm sure you've begun thinking, "All she does is post video clips or pictures".

Maybe. I just think there are so many wonderful Christmas ones out there

why not share them?  'Tis the season, you know.

This is such a sweet reminder of what Christmas is really all about.

Our bishop has asked us to choose a family in our ward 

to do something kind for this Christmas season.
We're still working on it.

This is the true meaning of Christmas.

How to use this clip  for family home evening:

Show the movie clip.

Talk about the importance of giving and what they can give to others.

Give each child a small box with wrapping paper, scissors and tape.
Give each child a piece of paper and pen or pencil and have them write what they would like to share with the world for Christmas.  Have them place the paper in the box and wrap it up.  Place the boxes on the tree and when Christmas is over, save the small boxes until next Christmas and have the children open them and talk about how they did the past year.

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel...The Piano Guys

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, together with the musical group The Piano Guys, have come together to produce a video celebrating the birth and life of Jesus Christ.  This beautiful video clip will have you in the Christmas spirit if you are not already.  

Please, Enjoy.

Chocolate Chip Cookies...it's not what you think...

I'm a Public Health major studying at BYU-Idaho with their online program.  I'm working on my bachelors degree and I love it!  I shared a funny with my BYU-I online facebook group the other day.  I love this group.  We all get each other.  It's like a great big bunch of friends, we have never met, helping, giving advice, cheering each other on, lamenting, and laughing together.
This is what I shared the other day:

Just a funny to break the monotony: I have to write an essay about what type of health model I would use for a certain cancer research case study that I have been given a $3 million grant for. I tried to explain this homework to my 5 year old, who has a hard time grasping that mom does homework on Saturday, and he said, "They can eat cookies! That's good for your health!" Don't we all wish?!

My goodness my little man sure knows how to crack me up.  I have to agree that a chocolate chip cookie, once in a while, does the body good.  Well, okay, maybe not the body, but at least it can make a person smile.  

While this picture isn't exactly cookies, it is chocolate and while I don't suggest making and downing these all at once, every once in a while a mug of cocoa is a wonderful treat.  Have you tried any of these?

Click the picture if you need it to be bigger. 

Feel free to copy the picture if you like.  I found it on Pinterest.

Christmas Subway Art

These are two of my very most favorite Christmas subway art pieces.  

The top picture I have printed and taped to my fridge.

The bottom one I had printed and is framed and sitting on my television stand.

Do you have a favorite quote or subway art picture that is Christmasy?

Do you have room?

I love this little picture quote I found from Elder Neil A. Maxwell and had to share it on my blog.