Christmas is my favorite time of year, that's no secret. I love the lights, the music, the decorations, the cheer and happy feeling of love that just seem to be floating around in the air. I love to see the kindness that people to show one to another, the secret deeds, the thoughtful words and the happiness that seems to be everywhere you turn. Christmas time always makes me reflect on my childhood and the experiences that I had as a little girl...I had so many happy, fun times. I don't remember ever receiving gobs of gifts, expensive toys or lavish things...but the things I do remember are the kind acts of others, the feelings of peace that were always in our home, the togetherness that my family felt and the great times that we always had.
I was raised with 4 brothers and 1 sister, on a farm in Utah. My dad worked several jobs just to keep food on the table and a roof over our heads. There was never money for “extras”, which I’m sure put a huge strain on my parents during the holidays. One particular year was very bad for us. The place where my dad worked was going under. Our home was in foreclosure and my dad was working night and day, anywhere he could, just to try and keep our family going. At the time, I was young and I wasn’t sure what the word “foreclosure” meant, other than I had heard my parents talk about us having to move from our home. I could feel the tension as well as see the worry and sadness on my mom’s face as she spent many days in tears.
One morning my mom and dad were talking amongst themselves and I could tell that their moods had changed. They were very emotional and were discussing how someone had come forward and paid the debt owed on our home, keeping it out of foreclosure. As a young child I remember feeling first, relief that we weren’t going to be homeless and second, feeling very blessed that someone would be so kind and thoughtful as to do something that big for our family. It was a humbling experience for my entire family.
The year was coming to a close and Christmas quickly approached. We as children, were getting excited about Christmas and decorating the tree, along with buying presents for each other and watching all of the fun Christmas specials that would be broadcasted on television.
One Sunday we were at church and came out to get in the car to return home to find that someone had secretly put a little note and treat in our car. We read the note that said “On the first day of Christmas we wish you a poppin good year. Here is a bag of popcorn with lots of good cheer. From, "King Brian".
That was the first of many gifts that we received throughout the next 12 days. We received record albums, games, gift certificates along with many other things. We looked forward to every day just to see what King Brian would bring us. On Christmas morning we awoke early, just like we did every Christmas morning, to presents from Santa. As children do, we all begin playing with our toys and having a wonderful time. A short while later my dad and brothers changed into their work clothes so they could go out to do chores. It was still slightly dark as my brother opened up the door to go and gather wood for the fire burning in the wood burning stove. He looked outside and could see something out by the pump house. A few, short minutes later, he came in carrying a VERY LARGE ceramic bowl filled with coins, mostly silver coins. On top of the bowl sat a large painted ceramic elf. Turning the elf over, we could see that it was hollow and stuffed completely to the brim with money…lots and lots of money. As my dad and brothers carefully hauled the large bowl of money into the living room, we all sat down on the floor and looked at all the money in awe. There was a spirit of gratitude and reverence in our house at that moment. The toys were forgotten, breakfast was put on hold and candy was left on the floor, as we all sat humbly looking into the shiny bowl filled with money. Even as a young 12-13 year old, I knew that Heavenly Father was watching over our family through the hands of someone else. I didn’t know at the time, but our house payments were several months behind again and the money that was in the bowl was enough to catch our payments up. Our family has never forgotten that selfless act of service and to this day my dad still can’t talk about that experience without getting choked up. That Christmas was truly an answer to prayer I am sure. We never found out who “King Brian” was, but our hearts continue to be full of love and gratitude for whomever the little elves were that saved our home twice that year.
“True happiness”, said President David O. McKay, “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. It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring “peace on earth,” because it means- good will toward all men.”
May your Christmas Season be filled with Christ and the
TRUE meaning of the holiday.
