The need to simplify through the Savior

In our last house, I decorated three different rooms with three different holiday themes (trees and all), snowmen in the dining room, Santas in the family room, and nativities in the living room.  My current home doesn't have a living room and our dining room doesn't have much decorating room, thanks to a seminary sized table.  All decorating must happen in the family room.  The last 3 years I have put up all three themes in the family room.  This year, I wasn’t feeling the Santas and the snowmen.  I just wanted my nativities. I just feel the need to be surrounded by Christ more. Yesterday when we sorted through the Christmas things, I left the Santas and snowmen in the attic and brought out the Nativities.  The decorations are much simpler this year.  There is only 1 Christmas tree in the main area of the home.  (The girls still have their trees in their room)  The Christmas theme is much more simple and not “in your face”.  Reminds me of a conference address by L. Tom Perry in October 2008 in which he says, “In our search to obtain relief from the stresses of life, may we earnestly seek ways to simplify our lives.”  We don’t need anything but the Savior.  This year, I have beautiful reminders of the Savior surrounding me that will add joy to my life this Thanksgiving and Christmas season.


Simplicity.


Isn't this what Christmas is really about.


Love this one because it's easy to set up.  It's all glued together into one piece.




When Addyson was younger, she wouldn't leave my nativities alone. When I found this one a few years later, I had to buy it. Even though she doesn't play with it, MANY visiting friends have.


This is the set I always let my kids play with.  Hours of entertainment.

 
Found this sweet nativity at a flea market.  Other children had loved it for years and so have my children.  Made of indestructible wood.



Love the children dressed up as the nativity.  Reminds me of the pictures I see from my husband's family when they re-enacted the nativity with a different baby Jesus each year.




This Precious Moment Nativity is so unique.


We decided yesterday this will become a year round staple on our Piano.


Our first nativity.  Given to us as a wedding present.


Love was born on Christmas morn.


Peace - Isn't that what life is all about?