December 27 - Day 36

Self-Care

Feeling a "post-holiday slump"? Try giving yourself something new to anticipate. Maybe plan a small treat or event. It could be booking a massage, planning a movie night, visiting a friend, or starting a new hobby. The key is to have a simple, non-holiday-related joy on the calendar.

Christmases of the Early Saints

President Joseph F. Smith (son of Hyrum Smith) remembered one Christmas as a young father (in the late 1800s) when he had no money—not even a penny—to buy gifts for his children. Just before Christmas he left his home and walked down the street, looking at all the wonderful things in the shop windows but knowing that he could buy none of them.

"I left the old home with feelings I cannot describe. I wanted to do something for my chicks (children). I wanted something to please them, and to mark the Christmas day from all other days - but not a cent to do it with! I walked up and down Main street, looking into the shop windows, into Amussen's jewelry store, into every story - everywhere - and then slunk out of sight of humanity and sat down and wept like a child, until my poured-out grief relieved my aching heart; and after a while returned home, as empty as when I left, and played with my children, grateful and happy only for them."

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2012/12/prophets-at-christmastime

The Gift of Scripture

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he 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 which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” Matthew 7:7-11

Remembering our Loved Ones Who Now Live in Heaven

Break out their list of favorites again. Pick one thing from the list and do something with it.

Great Gifts

“Even more amazing than modern technology is our opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the Lord has offered to mortals. It is His generous invitation to “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

“This timeless offer to provide personal revelation is extended to all of His children. It almost sounds too good to be true. But it is true! I have received and responded to that heavenly help. And I have learned that I always need to be ready to receive it.” -Russell M. Nelson

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/ask-seek-knock

A Simple Gift to Someone

The gift of thoughtful introductions. When introducing people who don't know each other, mention one specific, positive quality about each person to help them start a conversation.