The Symbols of Christmas

I think the symbols of Christmas are amazing. One represents peace and calm. One represents stress! Our bishop strategically placed the chair for Santa's visit to our ward Christmas breakfast, beneath a picture of the Savior. I thought that was clever. The picture before is of a live nativity held in a historical barn down the street from our house. I have to say, it was pretty neat. I wasn't sure what I would think of it, but it was done really well. You got the meaning. Chase was riveted. He sat on a hay bale in front of the manger and reverently stared, without moving. If you know Chase, that's a miracle in and of itself.

Chase was not that much less reverent when he sat on Santa. He was so funny. When asked that question that Santa asks best, he carefully put his arm around Santa's neck, pulled him slowly down and whispered quietly in his ear, "A remote-control speed boat".

I am thrilled that Chase was more in awe of visiting a stable and the manger. It is hard to have Christmas with children and not involve the man with the bowl full of jelly. You have to have a few of your young years dedicated to believing. But thank goodness we have opportunities during the Christmas Season to bring us back down to earth. It helps when Chase starts talking about Christmas presents, he reigns in his excitement, keeping it in check by saying,

"Let's remember, though, this really is about Jesus' birth day".