celebrating

Christmas is always magical. This year it seems that much of that magic has come through Music and the Arts for me. I joined the ward choir and it has been a treat to be directed under Sister Appeloni who also directs the BYU Women's Chorus. We performed at the annual Christmas Sing-a-Long last weekend. Loved it!  I have also had the opportunity to attend many Christmas Concerts. In my opinion, best Christmas Album of the Season goes to my good friend Steve Nelson. Seriously, click here to sample Steve's music or run to Deseret Book or go to iTUNES to purchase it. You still have a week to devour it! 

Every year since I was a very young, my mother would dress us up and take us to the Nutcracker on Christmas Eve following Breakfast with Santa at the Tiffin Room in the old ZCMI building. While the Tiffin Room doesn't exist anymore, luckily we are still able to attend Ballet West's The Nutcracker. I love it! SO MUCH! Yesterday I took my "little sister" Andrea from Big Brother's Big Sisters. (and here's where my plug comes in...) Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah is in need of volunteers.

Andrea and I hang out each week and it's been such a pleasure getting to know her. If you'd like information on how you can get involved, please let me know. We had a lovely time yesterday at the ballet. The Nutcracker never seems to lose it's magic and always gets me in the mood for Christmas. So many traditions still to conquer in these next few days. I'm giddy just thinking about it.

Lastly I just want to throw a nice little quote surrounding Christmas. I found it on the LDS Church website.

“There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ.”—President Thomas S. Monson

There are also several videos there about Christmas that are lovely for getting into the Christmas Spirit and help to keep focused on the real reason we Celebrate!

Enjoy the rest of the season!

festival of trees

One of my absolute favorite traditions in Salt Lake City around Christmas Time is the Festival of Trees. I partook of the goodness yesterday morning and I was loving every minute. Seriously, lights, toys, home made fudge, gingerbread houses... Is there anything better than that? While walking around, I found myself curious about how they came about. There's a ton of different stories about Christmas Trees, but here is a short excerpt I found about how they came to be.

The Christmas Tree originated in Germany in the 16th century. It was common for the Germanic people to decorate fir trees, both inside and out, with roses, apples, and colored paper. It is believed that Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, was the first to light a Christmas tree with candles. While coming home one dark winter's night near Christmas, he was struck with the beauty of the starlight shining through the branches of a small fir tree outside his home. He duplicated the starlight by using candles attached to the branches of his indoor Christmas tree. The Christmas tree was not widely used in Britain until the 19th century. It was brought to America by the Pennsylvania Germans in the 1820's.

Anyway, just something to think about as you enjoy your tree this year! Tis the Season!