Love from Russia!: December 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

They Never Knew About Christmas

NOTE: You have to read all of the first part of this note to get to the really interesting information that ties to the title of this blog entry.

Church yesterday was very interesting and enlightening. Our branch first counselor asked us (just before branch council meeting) to speak in sacrament meeting, which immediately follows branch council meeting. His specific request was for us to tell the branch members how American LDS families celebrate Christmas.

I grabbed him by the lapel of his suit jacket and shook him--just a little bit. (He's six feet six inches tall, and I didn't budge him at all.) I told him that it was only good manners to ask speakers at least two days in advance, and a week would be even better. (Yes, we have a very good relationship, so I can shake him--or at least try.)

In his adorable Russian-English way, with wide, guileless eyes, he said, "Why? You have all of the knowledge already in your heads."

How does one teach etiquette in the face of such sound logic?

So, we spoke--about making and taking goodies and gifts to neighbors, friends, visiting teachees and home teachees; about young men and young women groups and even families caroling to neighbors and friends; about families getting together to read an uplifting Christmas story each night from December 1st through the 25th; about choosing a family for a 12 days of Christmas service project; and about setting out the family nativity set and teaching children about the symbolism behind each piece until, finally, the Baby Jesus arrives.

We had only time enough to touch on some of the traditions; we know there are many more that are unique to different families. But we emphasized the effort each family makes to teach and remember that the gift of Jesus Christ to God's children is--or should be--the center of our Christmas celebrations.

One of our very spiritual young sister missionaries wrapped up the Christmas message (she volunteered!!) by tying it all together in a way that would make most listeners think that the program had been planned for weeks.

Then three elders and one sister missionary sang "Silent Night" (in harmony)--also a last-minute performance decision. Awesome performance, by the way.

Yes, the branch counselor had been correct when he said that we had all that we needed already in our heads. (And yes, we're still going to keep working on him about asking speakers a week in advance.)

The best part came later when the adults met together for the fifth Sunday meeting. The new elders quorum president, a member for only 8 months, spoke about how important Christmas had become for him and for his family since he had joined the Church. He told that this had been their very first true Christmas and how much he had learned about how Christmas is supposed to be celebrated and can be celebrated by listening to the talks by the Nelsons. (Wow! Talk about humbling for us!!) Other members of the branch then spoke up, adding their own experiences of the same things and emphasizing how, under the "previous regime," they had all grown up never hearing or learning about anything such as Christmas. Never knowing that Christmas existed until the missionaries found them and taught them the gospel.

Their comments reconfirmed what we have learned in working with the youth these past few family home evenings when we've talked and taught about Christmas and come to realize that none of our "kids" knew anything about the star, the wisemen, the stable, the shepherds, or even the birth of our Savior.

Beyond all the tinsel and trees and Santa Claus figurines and pictures, there has been no Baby Jesus in this land. And we have found it amazing that such truth could be so effectively hidden and disguised for so long.

We revel in the joy these wonderful people have discovered and in their sincere efforts to fill their lives with the gospel and the teachings of Jesus Christ rather than the teachings of men.

This experience has been a most humbling lesson for us--as hopefully it will be to all who read this--to be grateful and to keep the true spirit of Christmas in our hearts and in our celebrations.

Family Home Evening

Someone nick-named this mouse the "Russian Rat" because of the size. This thing is huge.

A computer mouse, it is as big as your hand, circa: pre-1990. One of our FHE visitors brought it to show us. It is setting on
top of an Apple iPad.

FHE - The lesson was on gifts that we share with one another. We gave examples of non-material gifts that we have received. We gave everyone the chance to share their stories, after which they took turns opening white elephant gifts that we had prepared for everyone. They didn't really understand the concept of a "white elephant" gift before the game. Something got lost in translation? But they had a great time. It is so fun introducing our Russian friends to old American ideas.