Christmas is basically here....My wonderful sister-in-law bought Andy a dress for Christmas and we are so in love with it!!
She is so cute---isn't she? I am not sure what her deal is with her hand in her mouth.!!!
She is so cute---isn't she? I am not sure what her deal is with her hand in her mouth.!!!
We are getting so excited to go to Oregon for Christmas. The entire family (minus the missionary---love you Elder Probert). It is going to be a blast.I am going to be in Oregon for almost a month!
Because of that, I have no idea if I will be able to blog or not...
So---to everyone out there....We Wish You All a Very Merry Christmas!!! We hope you have a Happy Holiday.We are so grateful for what Christmas really stands for. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, being brought to the world and the wonderful life he lead and the way he made it possible for us to all be together forever.
I heard that people are now pushing that we say HAPPY HOLIDAYS not referring to a Merry Christmas in our schools, in our place of work, etc. How terribly sad is that? I cannot even fathom the world if that is what becomes of it. How can you take Christ out of CHRISTMAS!!???
We hope you all reflect this time on the importance of family, of giving and of the true meaning and purpose of Christmas...that being the birth of our Saviour. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
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9 comments:
What a Christmas cutie! Say hi to all your fam when you're in Oregon. We sure miss them. Brings back quite the memories to think of Christmases past at Gma Bev's with Christmas Euge, etc! So fun! Have a wonderful hoiday & Happy New Year. Hope we'll see you Sunday...Love, Jae
That dress is adorable!!! She looks like such a little cute Christmas elf.
I must admit, I'm not too worried about the "happy holidays"--mainly cause as a former teacher, I never wanted my students who did not practice Christmas traditions to feel left out. Thus, I usually said Merry Christmas, Happy Hanakah (kay--I'm butchering that spelling), and so forth. Probably cause I had a friend in 2nd grade who was a Jehovah's Witness--thus I learned that in this country we believe that everyone has the right to believe in whatever religion they espouse to (or not believe). I have found great strength in that first amendment right...so thus, am just as happy wishing my Jewish friends Happy Holidays, and wishing my Christian friends Merry Christmas. Although I certainly know what I know, no one can take that away...and I honestly believe that Christ would have a hard time (with as much as He respects our agency) in forcing everyone to say Merry Christmas...as He would forcing everyone to believe in Him if they choose not to.
Anyway...sorry...no soapbox meant there. Just my thoughts...
Mary P.
She'll probably get a tooth for Christmas! Even once my kids quit the binki and thumb, when they teeth, in go the fingers! Have a great Christmas! We're getting ready to send off my younger brother. Remember he turned 8 our freshman year? And now he's a 6'3 1/2" giant! And turning 19 next month! I'll be going to Germany next month to be with him at the temple! Take care!
mary
Contrary to what you believe... most of the people I associate with now-a-days either don't have a religion, or are not of my faith....
I understand what you are saying--especailly with you being a teacher. You of all people can't really talk about your own beliefs in your work place---that would not be good. Whatever they are.
I don't think there is anything wrong with Happy Holidays---it is the forcing us to say that as opposed to Merry Christmas that I have a problem with. Just as I would not force believing in Christ on someone, why is it right to force me/ not to beleive in christ?
Or to try and make me so politically correct that I cannot say Merry Christmas---the whole reason they cancel school in the first place?
It doesn't make any sense. I welcome that people celebrate Honaka and some don't even do christmas---but don't go crazy cause I do? I don't go crazy because of you...it should be the same across the board
We worry so much about being politically correct, especially in UTAH...Becuase mormons are the dominant faith ( and not as dominant as people think...less than 50 percent I think even less than 40 now) We have to be overly sensitive.
My sister who lives in Oregon does not have to worry about talking about her true beleifs---If i were to do that in Utah, don't get me started. I could go off on this all day as it is something that has bothered me soooo much.
People always have a different side of the story. Let people beleive what they beleive. Since this is my blog, I posted what I beleive on it and I welcome the opinions of others.
I am sorry if I offended anyone, but I will not apolligize for beleiveing in Christ. No one has to beleive in anything, that is just my belief and I would love the same courtesy of being able to practice what I beleive that anyone else would like
Jamie,
I'm sorry to have made you upset. I agree with you that we have the right to wish people Merry Christmas as well. And, I agree that this is a much bigger issue in Utah (or other "Mormon Zones") than elsewhere. But, that's often made me wonder, what is it in UT that makes the difference? Certainly, there are those who have "left" the predominant faith--or those who have been offended by the predominant faith who try to push their views. They always seem to be the ones who get into the news the most. And certainly there are those who are just defensive. But, I also was immensley frustrated in UT by the overwhelming attitude I often observed my members of the LDS church (of which, of course, I am as well), whose attitude seemed to be that everyone should hold the same views that they did. And that those whom do not should be forced to do so. This is the type of attitude that added to the problems the early Saints had, especially in Missouri. And, to add to these issues, it often seemed to me when living in UT that simple problems were often blown out of proportion on both sides (which also added to problems for the early saints).
Certainly, we all should have the right to wish people happiness as we so choose, but I often wonder if part of the reason why "political correctness" rears it's head so much in UT is because people (especially those whom claim LDS beliefs) are not always as sensitive as they like to claim. I know I've certainly seen for myself many examples of ways that those of the predominant religion are truly not sensitive--mainly because of the attitude that "we all should be Mormon".I also, on many an occasion, have experienced unkind and judgemental members of my own faith, who pass judgement on me, because of my Spirit led decisions, or because of what has or has not happened in my life. Thus, those with different beliefs could be more easily offended. It does make a difference (a huge difference, in my view) to live somewhere where one is not the majority in some way. It's amazing because I've found more freedom outside of UT to be whom I am, believe what I believe, and honestly to say what I choose to say. I guess, it makes me think...what is it in UT that makes it so different? Perhaps are even other members of the church (maybe even those with differing political views than the "majority") squashed to some degree in UT (or the Mormon Zones) by the supposed "majority"--very interesting, honestly.
Anyway---I was certainly not offended by your view points, and I apologize for placing my views on your comments--I didn't mean to offend you either. In reality, I believe we actually agree. Certainly, you should be allowed to say "Merry Christmas"--but I still wonder why those of the supposed "non-majority" feel so strongly that they should push their views as well.
Anyway--sorry to have caused stress.
Mary
whoah girls......I'm proud of you both for saying what you feel and standing up for what you believe! Don't ever hold back!! I agree with you both!!! I was however very excited that our school had a Christmas program.....they even sang Silent Night and spoke of Jesus Christ's birth. That's why I love that we have a choice where to send our children to school, and we have the freedom to believe the way we choose. I love Christmas!
I hope you have a wonderful time with your family in Oregon. Your daughter is absolutely adorable. I have to agree with you on the Merry Christmas thing. I work for the government so I can't say "Merry Christmas" either but it's interesting. In Japan they celebrate Christmas (kinda) and they are not Christians. In fact, several non-Christian groups celebrate Christmas (not the true meaning, of course) and most people are not offended when you wish them a Merry Christmas, regardless of their religious beliefs. It seems that it's always one person who ruins it for the rest. That is my opinion :)
Merry Christmas Jamie!! I didn't know you had a blog! Thanks for sharing!!:):) Have fun with you sweet family:)
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