It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Dear Friends & Family

Christmas is such a beloved time of year.  Whether you are in familiar surroundings or you are far from home, love abounds in hearts as we choose gifts for loved ones and reflect on the ultimate gift of our Savior.  Each of us has our favorite part of the Christmas celebration.

 Elder Segeberg has always enjoyed ‘giving good gifts.’  No matter how diligently we planned our holiday spending, without exception a special something would be discovered (slightly over budget) that he would anticipate by bringing joy to the recipient and could not be passed up.  On Christmas morning his enthusiasm could not be contained each year as he woke our children early to see the excitement on their faces as surprises were revealed. His greatest gift was the joy that he brought to others.

 I have always LOVED Christmas music, from We Three Kings to Up On The Rooftop.  As a child I learned all verses to each Christmas carol and song as I practiced for pageants, sang in choirs, or just skipped to the store singing these cherished melodies at the top of my lungs.  The carols brought joy to me as they tell of the gift of our Savior. The Christmas songs brought magic as they told of someone who spread joy around the world delivering toys to good little girls and boys.

In recent years I have discovered a new favorite – Mary Did You Know.  True to his nature Elder Segeberg could not rest until he had provided me with a recording of this less common song so that I could hear it whenever I wished.  Although Mary saw an angel and knew that she was part of a miracle, she probably learned little by little the significance of the child that she delivered.

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will one day walk on water?
Did you know
That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
That your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Did you know
That your baby boy will calm a storm with His hand?
Did you know
That your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby
You've kissed the face of God

Mary, did you know?
The blind will see
The deaf will hear
And the dead will live again
The lame will leap
The dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

Mary, did you know
That your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Did you know
That your baby boy will one day rule the nations?
Did you know
That your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the Great I Am

“Considering all that the Savior has done—and still does—for us, what can we do for Him? The greatest gift we could give to the Lord at Christmas, or at any other time, is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. And His gift to us will be the peace of knowing that we are prepared to meet Him, whenever that time comes.

As a special witness of His holy name, I testify that Jesus the Christ is the divine Son of the living God. He will love you, lift you, and manifest Himself unto you if you will love Him and keep His commandments (see John 14:21).

Indeed, wise men and women still adore Him.” Russell M. Nelson

Even as we are far from home and loved ones this Christmas season His love is in our hearts.  How can Christmas be anything but “Merry” when we are in the service of Him whose birth we celebrate?  We love the Lord and find joy in His service on Christmas and every other day! 

May His peace be in your hearts as you celebrate this year! 

 Love, Elder & Sister Segeberg