Celebrate! by Jean Hall

I’ve been baking for a couple of weeks now. The wonderful aromas of spices, sugar and chocolates fill my house. My kitchen is a big mess with flour & sugar everywhere. Chocolate chips & sprinkles decorate my countertop. My little freezer is bulging with the goodies I’m making to share with the people I love.

Yesterday I mailed off boxes of homemade cookies to my sisters. I know I could send them store bought cookies. Or I could just send them a gift card to a bakery. But something I made with my own hands carries more love somehow.

Why do I spend so much time to make dozens and dozens of cookies, pound cakes and candies? To celebrate, of course! To celebrate the birth of my Savior. To celebrate our love for each other. To celebrate the bounty of gifts God gives to me. The sweet treats I prepare and share represent all the delicious blessings God pours into my life.

And there are plenty of them.

Baking is something I do with moderate success. But giving that time and my little bit of expertise wrapped up in a cookie tin is a gift not only to the people I love, but to the Savior I love.

I’m thankful for all those folks, and for you. I pray your Christmas time will be a celebration of love for your friends and family, and for your Savior, Jesus.