This is one of our favorite messages by Mark Mabry, an incredible photographer who has beautifully captured images depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ. We often see Biblical paintings, but seeing real people brings life to the history in a completely different, and personal way. We truly hope that each one of you feels the love and warmth of Christmas this year. As faithful Christians ourselves, the Savior is at the center of our church, our homes, and our lives. He strengthens us, comforts us, and provides hope and stability in an ever-changing world. We do our best to honor Him each day of the year, but especially at Christmas time when we remember that tiny child on that holy night, and even more so in a few months when we celebrate Easter. The true miracle of Christmas, for us, is in the knowledge that He lives. If you are not a person of faith or don’t believe in the divinity of Christ, it’s hard to deny that the attributes and virtues that He exemplifies, simply as a man, can better our lives in every way and we encourage everyone to embrace that spirit this holiday season and throughout the coming year.
“This year, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and the speak it again.” -Howard W. Hunter
As we wrap up this week of holiday fun and get ready to wave farewell to 2011, we want you all to know how much we love you! We know it’s a big world out there, and we get to share a little more of ourselves with you than you get to share with us, but we really do feel like we have a close-knit community of friends and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming back to our blog time and time again. Thank you for reading, thank you for commenting, thank you for supporting our book and our calendar and sending your friends to our site. Without you, we wouldn’t have the best jobs in the world so we’ll keep getting fat working hard for you!
May you all feel the peace, the love, and the joy the season brings, this Christmas and always.
Your Friends,
Sara and Kate
Beautiful! Thank you girls for all your inspiration!
Merry Christmas to you 2 wonderful, talented ladies! Thanks for all your amazing recipes and wonderful stories!
Food for the soul, and food for the body. Doesn’t get any better than that. Thank you sisters, and Merry Christmas! And congrats on the newest little chef.
Thank you for sharing a little bit of your lives, your wonderful recipes, and those adorable family pictures. Merry Christmas!
What great family photos! Merry Christmas to you both! And Kate Jones-you are in SO much trouble! I should not have to learn these things on your blog! Congratulations! You make beautiful babies!
I was just stopping by today to wish you girls a Very Merry Christmas. Thank you for sharing your recipes, ideas, and laughs with us.
Right back at ya! Happy holidays 🙂
Thanks for bringing the Spirit in greater abundance into my morning. And to think I just wanted to look up your Breakfast Casserole recipe- and got so much more! Merry Christmas
Thank you Ladies for your thoughts and sharing such a wonderfully done video! Very appreciated.
When I’m looking for a recipe, you girls are my “go to girls.” I love your site and every delicious thing I’ve made from it!
Merry Christmas to you both.
Kate – you have a son named Clark! Love it. My little Clark started kindergarten this year. What a great name. Merry Christmas to you both! I love your site.