I find it interesting how Christmas has changed for me through the years. I was a typical kid growing up, Christmas was one of my favorite holiday’s and I looked forward to it with my Christmas wish list for Santa. Even as I grew older and the list changed because I learned more about Christmas and about Santa, I still really enjoyed Christmas.

I remember many Christmases talking about the symbolism of the tree, the ornaments, the colors and that they should all bring us back to Jesus Christ, who is the reason for the season. Even the presents should remind us as kids to look to Christ, that the wise men brought Him gifts and we could share our gifts with others because that’s how we share them with Jesus. I tried to teach my kids about Jesus Christ and that He really is the reason for the season.

I really enjoyed many of the Christmas traditions I grew up with. One of my favorites being the Christmas goodies that my mom would make and we would share with neighbors and friends. I enjoyed delivering them and the smile it brought to people’s faces. At least to the ones we didn’t ding dong ditch. Even those though, we would wait and watch from a distance to see the smile on the people’s faces when they picked up their plate of goodies. Giving to others reminded us of Jesus Christ as well.

I enjoyed Christmas Eve. I don’t remember what all we did, but I remember it being special to me. When I got married, my husband and I started to invite family over Christmas Eve for snacks and company. It was a fun way to celebrate and enjoy the company of more than the two of us. We have maintained that tradition through the years, and enjoy the expansion of Christmas Eve to include those who may not have family nearby, those who may not have children, and many other family and friends in our area.

When we had kids, the magic of Christmas morning in the excited faces of our kids became something I looked forward to as well. Kids make things magical I think. I have always enjoyed giving gifts, but as we had children, I really started to enjoy giving gifts and seeing their faces on Christmas morning.

I think this is when a shift in my perspective began to happen more distinctly. All of my needs were met, I didn’t really need more stuff, but I certainly enjoyed giving something meaningful or useful to my kids and to others. I enjoy taking the plates of goodies around to people through the Christmas season. I enjoy making those goodies with my family. I enjoy Christmas traditions like Christmas Eve, and making new traditions like going to my Church’s temple as a family.

Last year we went to the Giving Machine in Anchorage, and we have one again this year. I am so excited to go again and hopefully share a little bit of Jesus Christ with someone through that avenue. Maybe it’s growing older, maybe it’s growing wiser (hopefully!), but Christmas is changing for me again. I don’t need anything anymore. I never understood why older people just wanted to visit rather than receive presents, but I’m starting to understand now.

The relationships are what I seek after now, the family time, the friends, giving and sharing. Presents are still fun, and Christmas morning is still magical, but I think I enjoy those moments, those opportunities to be with others, I guess that’s why it’s called “the present.”