Favorite Christmas Tradition

Jordan and I have a family tradition that helps me remember what Christmas, and be a disciple of Christ during the holiday season is all about. I can't imagine Christmas without it anymore, to me it always provides for the most memorable moments and helps me remember why I married this amazing man.

Our first year of marriage Jordan and I were ghetto poor. I mean Elvis could have written his song about us. We were going to the food bank for food, freezing our tooshes every night, and every time I spent money it felt like shoving pins underneath my fingernails. I started crying at the cash register one day when I had to put half our groceries back because we couldn't afford them. I like to laugh about that now, bananas really aren't necessary for survival - unless you are the missing link, which I am not.

Our first Christmas together we had a very small budget for presents, I was more than happy with it though because it meant I could finally get a new sweater. To my most wonderful surprise, we also received a very large sum of money from Jordan's mom to spend on whatever we wanted. It was way more than enough for us to purchase all we could want at that time, and we were so excited to have a Christmas filled with fancy presents, a nice dinner with expensive ingredients, and our soon to be purchased White Christmas.

A few days later we went to the temple. (Can you see where this is going?) As we were waiting in the chapel, because Provo Temple is always super busy, I was reading in the Doctrine and Covenants. I came across a section that talked about the early Saints and their many incredible sacrifices for the gospel. I began thinking about how much they wanted a temple, how they ground up their fine china to make the walls of the temple sparkle a little more, how they did ordinances nonstop, I was deeply moved by their devotion and began to wonder if I would have done the same thing. I then read a verse that said the early saints were faithful in all things, "and gave out of their poverty."

It was like a door bell went off in my head. I knew who was knocking on that mental door and let me tell you, I was reluctant to answer. I opened it just a crack, and that was all it took to receive a very unwelcome guest. A thought came into my head, "Gee Kayleen, you're poor, not nearly as poor as the pioneers, surely you can give something to build God's Kingdom if they could."

I was trapped. What could I do? I had just received a very positive and Christlike thought while sitting in the temple - game over evil demon on my left shoulder. I turned to Jordan and told him "I think we should take the money your mom gave us and give it to temple projects for Christmas." He was certainly startled by this unexpected suggestion; he knows how much I love sweaters. He gave me a look that was more loving than any incredibly cute article of wool could ever induce and I thought, wow, he has no idea I just told him that so I couldn't back out of it later.

We gave our money to the Church and dedicated it to the Guatemala temple that was under construction. I sometimes second guessed giving up ALL the money, surely we could save at least a portion of it for ourselves. But I kept on remembering this episode of Sabrina the Teenage Witch where Sabrina keeps part of the money she raises for a charity and then hates what she bought with it. (God works in mysterious ways my friends.) I also didn't want to bring this up with Jordan after he totally oggled me with googly eyes in the temple.

The next Christmas we were much better off than our first year together. It was a little easier to fork over some cash for a good cause. That year we wanted to be a little more creative than handing over a check though. So we found an adorable little Christmas box, stuffed it with tissue paper, and included a note about the Savior's love and some money. We left this box on the front stoop of a woman we had heard about through some friends who was very poor. She was a single mom of two teenage girls living in a small apartment. We went late at night, spent forever searching for the right apartment number, and then I got a running head start while Jordan rang the door bell and jumped out of sight. It was hilarious, we couldn't find each other because we were both hiding, and Jordan was terrified I would slip and fall on the icy sidewalk because I was pregnant. He was so heroic about it all. My heart still melts.

We watched as the woman opened the door looked around, and picked up her small package. I think it was an amazing blessing that the lights were on and her curtains open as she gathered her two daughters around her and opened the small Santa tin. No image will ever seem more Christmasy to me than the picture I have in my mind of the three of them standing together and reading our note about the Savior. It is the best Christmas memory I have and I am so glad I got to share it with Jordan.

This year Jordan has a great job so we are really excited to continue with our tradition. I am so glad we did it our first year together, so I never have an excuse of not having enough money, because I doubt we will ever be as poor as that again (gee, I hope not.) So it just gets easier and more fun every year. We recently heard about a couple our friends know that need some help right now. They have two daughters, and 6 month old son who is suffering from Leukemia. The father is currently unemployed and they have very little money to pay for medical bills. In addition, their vehicle is dying, it doesn't start sometimes, and has no heat. I can't imagine putting my sick baby in a freezing cold car to take him to chemotherapy treatments. I think the worst feeling in the world is not being able to give your child everything it needs, even if you are doing all you can.

We have decided to leave a plate of sugar cookies that spell out "Jesus Remembers You" and some money on their doorstep this year. I am so excited to bake and decorate the cookies. We even received a contribution from Jordan's grandpa for them! I couldn't be more grateful for my family's good health, that Jo is so happy and healthy and Jordan and I can enjoy her without worrying for her. I want to show my gratitude for this incredible blessing by trying to help others who are going through a tremendous trial.

Now the point of this incredibly long post: You should try it too. It really is the best Christmas tradition, even more fun than eating truffles and watching It's a Wonderful Life (that is hard to beat.) This year take a little bit of your Christmas funds and give it to someone who really needs it. And I don't mean buy your kid a new highchair they need. Find someone who is in a pickle and sweeten their experience.

Try it out! Even better, grab some friends and family and ask them to join you. It will be your favorite Christmas tradition in no time, and it will help you remember what Christmas should really be about.