The Christmas Spirit

In the back of my mind, I have known that I need to talk to my parents about my journey. I have known that I need to tell them about my upcoming Baptism, as well my upcoming trip to Utah to visit a friend (and to see the Draper Temple).

One of the things that seems most difficult about this will be answering the question "why?" in a way that they will understand. It has been over a week now that I have known that "because this is the right path for me" is sufficient enough answer, but I have longed to communicate more of what the foundational reasons are in a way that they would actually understand.

This morning as I was going about my day preparing to go pick up my two wonderful children from my ex wife, I remembered something as I was thinking about the Spirit.

A long time ago - some time in the late 70's I believe, when I was a young child, I experienced one of the most memorable Christmases I have ever had. I have no recollection of a single gift I received, I don't recall who was over for Christmas, save my immediate family, and I don't even remember what we ate that day.

But I won't ever forget that Christmas.

My Mother was in the choir at church. It was a Catholic church. She really enjoyed singing in the choir. I remember it was a very dramatic change because instead of sitting in church with my Mother and Father and siblings, my brother and sister and I sat there with our Father while my Mother was in the choir for the entire service. I would look at her and the other people in choir throughout church service and they all seemed like good people.

My Mother was happier than she had been in quite some time. I remember she went to choir practice - I don't remember how often, but it was VERY odd for her to be away from the family. She really enjoyed it though. She made really good friends with another couple in the choir. I can't remember back far enough to remember their names, but I can almost see their faces. I rememeber these two people were touched with the Holy Ghost. Even as a small child I could feel it. I could feel their influence on my Mother, and later, on my Father as well.

The entire season leading up to Christmas that year was special. My Mother was in tune with the Spirit and somehow, in a rare miracle, my Father was as well. I remember my Mother talking to him about her experiences with the people in the choir, and he was supportive of her, and even seemed to enjoy being involved with them himself. There were Christmas games they played with each other in the days leading up to Christmas - thoughtful gifts left at our doorstep with naught but a doorbell ring to let us know it was there. No tag to say who it was from. As a child, I was filled with wonder about all of this.

Looking back, I distinctly remember what a special time that was for our entire family. We were all VERY close to Jesus that year, and Christmas was so much more about Jesus than it was the gifts and everything else.

But some time after Christmas, that all ended. I don't even remember what happened. I think perhaps the couple that had brought the Holy Ghost into our lives moved away. I was too young to really remember what happened.

I intend to talk to my parents about that Christmas. I have no doubt they will remember it - it was an extremely special time for our entire family. I think I'd like to find those people again if possible, to thank them for having touched my life so long ago.

From now on, I want EVERY Christmas I have to be touched by the Christmas Spirit like it was that time so long ago.