A Christmas Message

Rather than type up a "Ferguson Family Update" to go along with our Christmas cards, I just had our blog address printed on them. After-all, that's what this blog is - a constant update of our "not-so-interesting-to-anyone-but-us" family adventures! 

I'll admit it, I was feeling lazy. It was just easier to refer everyone here. :)

I have a feeling, however, that not many will come here to check out the blog (besides those who already do). But that's okay. For those who do find their way here whether from the Christmas card, or by the fact that you already come here regularly (Hi Mom!), we wanted to share with you a Christmas message. 

Uh-oh. I guess that means I have to come up with a Christmas message now...

~Intermission~

Okay! Did that help you get in the Christmas spirit? We recently had our student recitals. This is Marianne performing, "What Child Is This?". 

Time flies. I am about to experience my 34th Christmas. (At least, I think I am 34. . . I never can remember.) I occasionally think back to Christmas's I spent at home growing up. My parents made them so magical. I didn't, of course, realize at the time just how much work and sacrifice it takes for parents to make Christmas magical. Both Richard and I, as I am sure all of you, could go on and on about the memories spent with family at Christmas.

Here are four of my brothers and I (Kevin wasn't born yet.) posing on Christmas day, 1982, with our new slippers that my Grandma Smith made for us. She passed away the following month. These slippers were the last thing she made before she died.

It wasn't so much the gifts, but the overall feeling of joy. Family. Unity. Service. And, ultimately, the celebration of an event in history that holds unparalleled significance in our lives: 

The supreme gift given to us directly from God - His Son.   

This gift is eternal. It is our salvation. 

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

~John 3:16

How can we say it more eloquently than the First Presidency said it in this video? We will end this message with our own testimony, that we know Christ does live! He truly was and is still a gift from God, sent to give His life for us. He is the perfect example of love and charity. We are so grateful for the knowledge of the gospel and of Jesus Christ in our lives. We are grateful for the experiences in this life - the joyous ones and the difficult ones - that draw us closer to Him. We hope you will find His spirit in your hearts this Christmas season! 

With Love,

Richard, KaraLyn, Thomas, Marianne, William, Sarah and James