Presents of Peace

Image courtesy creative commons license flickr.com by kevinthoule 10/15/05

My Christmas budget has been spent and now it's time to get creative! I wanted a few gifts that will help our souls grow and be spiritually meaningful... so dear hubby if you're reading this, time to click off and not spoil some surprises!

All these gifts are based on scriptures.

* 1 Nephi 19:23 "And I did read many things unto them which were written in the books of Moses; but that I might more fully persuade them to believe in the Lord their Redeemer I did read unto them that which was written by the prophet Isaiah; for I did liken all scriptures unto us, that it might be for our profit and learning."

Take a small brown paper bag and put a nice bow. Fill it with papers with scriptures on one side and then moments that this scripture has reminded you of the person on the other.

For example: 1 Nephi 3:7 "And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them" Then on the next side, "My dad setting up hundreds of chairs as Elder's Quorum president week after week all by himself. It seemed impossible but you always did it without complaining."

* Mosiah 2: 17 "When ye are in the service of others, ye are only in the service of your God."

Make a list of community volunteer opportunities. You can search newspapers, craigslist, the yellow pages, go to the library or schools and ask... google is always great. :) Print out this wonderful talk given at the last general conference. (What have I Done for Someone Today? President Monson) Attach both together and roll up like a scroll. Put a nice ribbon. Take about 10 index cards and make them a little fancier... whether it be stickers or whatever. On the top of the index cards put What Have I Done for Someone Today?

This gift is different. It encourages one to have wonderful experiences, then record it on the index cards to put in a journal or just reflect on. I know I love to help out but don't always have the knowledge of what needs to be done or how to help... maybe others think the same way and this could be a meaningful gift!

* D&C 59:5 "Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him."

How many of us take the time to review and ponder what we did good that day? Take this scripture and write it on a white board in permanent marker. Underneath (again, in permanent marker) write the question: What did I do today to fulfill this commandment? Boards and dry erase markers can be found at the dollar store or target dollar section.

* Mosiah 4:27 "And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order."

Spray paint an old shoe gold. Fill the shoe with your favorite quotes on hope, perseverance, and endurance. Give a little note card explaining:

When you're feeling tired
Worn out from the day,
When the race seems heavy
Don't fear or dismay!
Reach inside this shoe,
Golden truth will restore
A smile to your face
and love forever more!
poem by Sofia

* Ether 12: 27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weaknesses. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

Teach a talent or one of your strengths to someone you love. For example, my hubby doesn't know how to play the piano or read music, so I'm going to plan on teaching him this upcoming year. And to my Hubster, if you happen to be spoiling your surprise and reading this I would like you to please teach me how to play all those Bob Marley songs on the guitar. It will be music dates.

* Alma 34:32 "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

Buy or make a 2010 year calendar. For each day write a scripture for the person to look up or a service challenge. Have a theme for each month... for example Hope. Use the topical guide and plan away precious time.

Christmas is a time to give “the best” gifts.

Read 3 Nephi 14:9-12
"Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Therefore, all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets."

Wrap a few “yucky” gifts like a dirty sock, a chewed up apple or a crumpled newspaper. Have the children open them. How would they feel if these were their real Christmas gifts? Take a large piece of poster board and divide it in half Label the columns good gifts and best gifts. Brainstorm gifts for each categories, for younger children try to draw pictures of what they say. Good gifts could include a Barbie or toy truck. Best gifts should include things like service, a humble heart, kind words, love, thankful prayers to Heavenly Father, the life of Jesus Christ, etc.

Sing I Feel My Saviors Love Children’s Songbook pg.74 Focus on learning Vs.4
"I’ll share my Savior’s love, By serving others freely, In serving I am blessed, In giving I receive."

“ Our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved. There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord our God with all our heart and our neighbors as ourselves. It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much, he who gives time gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all.Someone has appropriately said, “We make a living by what we get, but we build a life by what we give.” It is through giving, rather than getting, that the Spirit of Christ enters our lives.”
Thomas S. Monson “First Presidency Christmas Devotional: ‘My Redeemer Lives’,” Ensign, Feb 2001, 70–73

Christmas is a time for bloom.

Ask your children, can flowers grow and bloom in the snow? If flowers can't bloom in the winter, what can?

Image courtesy creative commons license Flickr.com by Trueclearlight February 26, 2008

President Monson said, "Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas."
President Monson The Best Christmas Ever Ensign 12/2008 p.5

Get out some construction paper, paint, markers, pipe cleaners... whatever you have on hand. Taking egg cartons and cutting out each groove can make a nice shape for little flowers. Make a Christmas floral bouquet (with a tag with President Monson's quote) and doorbell ditch it on someone's porch.