Possibly Insightful Ramblings

(Yes, I realize that this is my third post in a row entitled with a reference to a Christmas song . . . But it's Christmas time, so it's okay, right?) Christmas Eve – perhaps the most magical and exciting night of the year. In just a few minutes, my family’s celebration will begin, including a Christmas concert and other Christ-centered activities. In some respects, I think I’ve always loved Christmas Eve even more than Christmas – the combination of excited anticipation, mixed with a reverential remembrance of the Savior, surpasses even the excitement of unwrapping shiny, new toys. It’s sort of like when Winnie the Pooh observes that the only thing better than actually eating honey is the moment right before the sticky goodness enters your mouth and you are filled with a tingling of excitement and delight. So it is for me and Christmas Eve. (Except Christmas is a zillion times better than honey.) This is a night of wonder as we reflect on the miracle that the Son of God...

Were it not for the previously mentioned snow storm that draped the valley in white, I would have feared that this Christmas would be green, because this weekend was the rainiest one in my memory of Decembers. It brought new meaning to that line from “What Sweeter Music” about December being turned to May. Sunday morning I had the great privilege of standing outside in this pouring rain with my family as we waited to be admitted to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas program in Salt Lake City. The Conference Center sidewalks were filled with lines of people, all of us eager to hear the Tabernacle Choir and David Archuleta join in praises of our Savior. The fact that my family made it to the concert was a miracle – actually a whole series of miracles – which made me even more grateful to be there and far outweighed the discomfort of my soaked feet. First of all was the fact that we even got tickets to this concert, considering that around 1.5 million people requested tickets (and...