Friendly Friday - Guest Blogger - Elizabeth Mueller

Are You Ready For Christmas?
By Elizabeth Mueller

Hello!

Many of you have been reading my posts since I have joined Mormon Mommy Writers. It's been such a wonderful honor for me to express the feelings of my heart there. I have learned a lot about writing
in the past year from proper sentence structure, the way editors like them, to etiquette within a critique group, to online presentation. You can also find me at elizabethmueller.blogspot.com.

Christine has asked me to guest blog for Christmas and I prayed and asked Heavenly Father what I should write about. The Heavens opened and down poured the thoughts I am compelled to share.

"Are you ready for Christmas?" That is the question I have been asked time and time again. Throughout my life to be honest. It always stops me and I have to think.

What does that question mean, exactly? It confuses me a bit, but maybe they mean if my tree is up and decorated. Have I gotten all of my shopping done? Presents wrapped? Food prepared? Cards mailed? Uh, well, kind of. I think it is nice to have all those things going for this particular holiday, but the reason why it confuses me is because I feel that Christmas is from the heart.

I am always ready for Christmas. It is much more than all those material things, oh so much more. To me, Christmas is service. Heavenly Father gave us His Son and we give to His children. With the awful nosedive of our economy, I know many of you are hurting and even feel uncomfortable when people ask if you are ready. Perhaps anguish haunts you when you think of your little ones and how you are unable to give them the presents that bring so much joy to
them.

I feel the same way. My husband did not lose his job, but we are working toward our third year without a pay raise and it was only this year that the company he works for cut his income by 10%. With a mortgage, a car payment, utilities, food, gas for his commute along with four kids to support, it has been a struggle. I am a stay-at-home mom, but both my husband and I feel very strongly that I should stay home with the kids. I am forever grateful for this.

Bearing this in mind and how I know my financial circumstances is more common than I'd care for, I feel differently about Christmas. Personally, I don't think there is anything wrong or tacky with making presents for your loved ones. In fact, those are the best kind. Heavenly Father has endowed each and every one of His children with gifts. Think about what they are. Listening. Being a friend. Sincerity. Patience. Tidy. Singing. Writing. Drawing.

A thought. I made a coupon book for my daughter's 13th birthday. In this book I included cleaning her room, doing a load of laundry including folding and putting it away for her. A load of dishes and many more. This, I must confess, is the most popular gift I could have ever given--my other kids are complaining how unfair that I have never thought to give them one, too! So guess what they'll be getting for Christmas? I will be very busy for the next few months!

I feel that the kind of gift that we could give that would bring most joy to our family and friends is the kind straight from the heart. One with out price. Christmas is about giving, service and love. The very thing that Christ did for us when He was on Earth.

It is my hope that this Christmas brings true joy and fulfillment to you and your loved ones no matter your circumstances. Remember that Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to be happy.

Merry Christmas!

Elizabeth wrote a beautiful poem about this and posted it on her blog today. Please go there and read it. Click HERE.

Thanks for being my guest blogger today, Elizabeth. Your post has touched my heart and given me a lot to ponder. May you and all those visiting my blog today, have a Merry Christmas and find time to be with their friends and family. I love you all.- Christine