1 No Room in the Inn

The Christmas story, as told in the book of Luke, tells of Joseph and Mary traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem and, while they were there, Mary bringing forth her firstborn son and laying him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn (see Luke 2:4-7; emphasis added).

Each of us, some two thousand years later, plays the role of innkeeper. Each of us decides whether there is room for Him in our hearts and in our lives.

What? you may say. No room for Jesus?

Yet, we may unwittingly, unconsciously leave no room for Him because of the cares of daily living, the very busy-ness of our lives, especially at this hectic season of the year.

If we ignore the needy and less fortunate, the lonely and suffering, the aged and the children, or those whom Jesus referred to as the least among us (see Matthew 25:40), then we are saying we have no room for Him.

If we fail to keep His commandments (see John 14:15), which center in loving and serving God and in loving and serving our neighbor (see Matthew 22:36-40), then we are saying we have no room for Him.

If we forget to take time to ponder and pray and to thank Him for His abundant blessings and tender mercies (see D&C 59:21), then we are saying we have no room for Him.

As the final verse of one of our beloved carols, "O Little Town of Bethlehem," reminds us,

How silently, how silently
The wondrous give is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of his heav'n.
No ear may hear his coming;
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him, still
The dear Christ enters in.

Our Christmas wish is that our inns will not be too full and that we will allow the dear Christ to enter in.

2 Quote of the month

God our Father is not a feeling or an idea or a force. He is a holy person who, as the scriptures teach, has a face and hands and a glorious immortal body. He is real, He knows each of us individually, and He loves us, every one. He wants to bless us.

— Elder J. Devn Cornish in the October 2011 general conference

Until his call as a General Authority last April, Elder and Sister Cornish lived in the same ward as our daughter and son-in-law in Atlanta. Sister Cornish worked in the Primary with Eliza.

3 This month in our family

Lyle's family
Sat, Dec 3: Hannah Grace Kersker's birthday
Thurs, Dec 8: Aric's birthday
Sun, Dec 18: Shandi Cleverly-Burdett's birthday
Tues, Dec 20: Adria Janelle Kersker's birthday
Thurs, Dec 22: Doug's birthday
Thurs, Dec 22: Crystal Price's birthday
Fri, Dec 23: Dakota's birthday
Sun, Dec 25: Shawn & Shandi Burdett married 2000

Gail's family
Wed, Dec 7: Brian's birthday
Thurs, Dec 8: Dustin & Michelle Duay married 2002
Sat, Dec 10: Kyle Foley & Cortney Stockdale being married in Salt Lake Temple
Mon, Dec 19: Brian & Kate married 2003
Sat, Dec 24: Richard & Angie Craine married 2000
Mon, Dec 26: Jacob Robert Rankin's birthday

Kay's family
Fri, Dec 9: Chuck McAllister's birthday
Sun, Dec 11: Kinslee Higley's birthday
Mon, Dec 12: McCall's birthday
Thurs, Dec 15: Chad & Melissa married 1994
Tues, Dec 20: Brandon & Nicole married 1997

Gene's family
Mon, Dec 12: Ronnie's birthday
Wed, Dec 28: Terry & LaWanda Packwood married 1990

Ray's family
Sun, Dec 4: Curtis's birthday

Dean's family
Fri, Dec 2: Talmage & Louise married 2006
Thurs, Dec 8: Aaron Marvin Challis's birthday
Mon, Dec 12: Tanner Hoff born and died 1995
Wed, Dec 14: James died 1999

Dale's family
Fri, Dec 16: Kira's birthday

Jackie's family
30: Rex Sayer's birthday


Everybody!
Sun, Dec 4: Fast Sunday
Sun, Dec 4: First Presidency Christmas devotional (6:00pm MST)
Wed, Dec 7: Pearl Harbor Day
Sat, Dec 10: Full moon (Cold Moon or Moon before Yule)
Sat, Dec 17: Ivard & Dorothy married 1934
Wed, Dec 21: First day of winter
Sat, Dec 24: Christmas Eve
Sun, Dec 25: Christmas Day
Sat, Dec 31: New Year's Eve

4 Bits and tidbits

Gail's family

Cortney Joanne Stockdale (daughter of Stephanie and the late J. Paul Stockdale) will be married to Kyle Taylor Foley (son of Craig and Krisine Foley, grandson of Gail and Lynda) on Saturday, December 10, in the Salt Lake Temple. A formal reception is being held in their honor that evening from 7:00 until 9:00 at the Prudential Building, 5929 Fashion Pint Drive, in South Ogden.

Kay's family

Bishop Kay missed two weekends in a row from his ward in Hurricane. The first weekend of November (from Wednesday, November 2, through Monday, November 7) he was in Indiana for the baptism of a grandchild, one of Brandon and Nicole's kids. The second weekend (from Friday, November 11, through Monday, November 14) he and Karen were in the Salt Lake City area for the ordination of one of her grandsons on Sunday and a six-month checkup on his hip on Monday.

Dean's family 
We learned on Thanksgiving Day that Talmage and Louise are expecting a child next summer in late June or early July. This will be our 23rd grandchild. The 22nd one, a girl, is expected sometime in March at Pete and Anna's house.

5 Our family 50 years ago

Excerpts from the December 1961 diary of Dorothy Batt Cleverly (1915–1982). The full text of her diary can be found online at Dorothy's Idaho Diaries and is updated daily, exactly 50 years to the day after it was originally written. The family at the time lived on Montana Avenue in Nampa, Idaho.

Fri, Dec 1.  I came home from work & went to bed at 10: Ivard got me up at 12:30 & Jackie & I took him to Boise to Dr. Smith's office & nurse took his drain tube out. Jerry & Ray were up shopping & Gail & Lynda came & left Kids & they went shopping. Dean & I fed Kids. Gail & Lynda took Dale & Jackie home for week-end to go to Ontario to see Santa Parade. Gene went to Nyssa for week end. My nite off.

Sat, Dec 2.  I cooked 100 potatoes (baked them in foil) for 70's banquet. Ray came home from work at 5: & went & helped with it until 11: Jerry took Dean & I up & we ate at 6:45 then Jerry brought us home. Miss Jackie & Dale.

Sun, Dec 3.  Dean did chores & Jerry, Ray & Dean went to Priesthood, S.S. & fast meeting. We ate at 3: when they got home. I wrote letters all afternoon, Bill, Kay, Irvin. I went to bed at 7:30. Gene & Kids got home at 9:30. I got up at 10:30 & got ready & went to work.

Mon, Dec 4.  Ivard went to Boise to Dr. Won't half to go to him again unless something goes wrong.

Tues, Dec 5.  Ray & Gene went to Middleton to play ball. They beat 6th Ward. I went to work at 11: We had our annual Xmas Turkey dinner tonite because we are going down for the next month, the morning of the 8th.

Wed, Dec 6.  Gene withdrew from Nampa High School & moved out & went to Gails to live & finish School at Adrian. I was so mad at Ivard & Gene. He never even woke me up & said goodbye.

Thurs, Dec 7.  Got letter from Kay. Snowed 3 in. I took Ray to work & Jackie to Primary then I swept walks until Dean came & he finished them. I made a rice pudding for breakfast.

Fri, Dec 8.  I came home from work and read paper & went to bed at 10: I never got home until 9: roads were so slick.

Sat, Dec 9.  We got laid off for a whole month. I came home from work & went to bed until noon but about froze to death. Jerry worked until noon but Ray didn't have to go today. Ray decorated the mantle for Xmas. Dean went to Xmas priesthood party. Ray made a centerpiece for table.

Sun, Dec 10.  I got up after Jerry - Ray & Dean left for priesthood. Jerry had a roast on & I made jello salad & cooked dinner & we made a angle food cake & had peach short cake. Ray came home & got Dale & Jackie for sunday school. Kids came at 2: & we ate dinner. We watched "Wizzard of OZ." Jerry - Ray - Dean & Dale went to church.

Mon, Dec 11.  Jerry - Ray and Dean went to Mutual.

Tues, Dec 12.  At 11: I took Ivard up to Dr., he's doing fine. I went to relief society Xmas party at 11:45. We had a good Turkey dinner & lots of good salads & plum pudding. Ray went to Kuna & they won, beat Caldwell 2nd.

Wed, Dec 13.  Snowed. Jerry took Ray to Seminary. At 1: I took Jackie to her dance lesson then we went & I signed for unemployment. I bought a corn popper for Gail for Xmas.

Thurs, Dec 14.  Ray stayed home from school sick. At noon Ivard, Jackie and I went over to Simplots & got my check then we went over to Gails. We brought Debbie home until Sunday.

Fri, Dec 15.  I wrote Mother while Ivard, Jackie & Debbie wrapped Xmas presents. It snowed all morning & hard all afternoon. I went up town & got a few things. Got home at 2: & all the cows were gone, clear up by 12th Ave. I spent all evening getting Xmas cards ready.

Sat, Dec 16.  Jerry bought the candy & nuts for Xmas & a ham roast. Mrs. Yorgenson brought us 2 big boxes of groc. from Welfare & sack of potatoes. Jerry & Dean went up to church to decorate Xmas trees. Ray came home at 4:30 & went up too. They came home about 9: & decorated our tree.

Sun, Dec 17.  My 27th Wedding Anniversary - Ivard gave me a nice card. I forgot. Jerry - Ray - & Dean went to Priesthood & Sunday School & Ray came home & took Debbie, Dale & Jackie to Sunday school. We ate when Kids got home. Jerry came home sick & he didn't go to church. All the rest of us went, first time Ivard has been out to church. Came home & cows were out & we had to chase them.

Mon, Dec 18.  Gail & Lynda came & took Debbie home. Bishopric came & ask me to be Sunday School T. I said yes.

Tues, Dec 19.  Wally Bryson came & bought our last cow, $125. I got busy & was too late to go to relief Society. I was writeing letters in Xmas cards. Ivard & I played Scrabble. I don't feel very good.

Wed, Dec 20.  Got Xmas card from Kay. I don't feel very good. Ivard had a nap while Jackie & I went to dance lesson & we went & bought a hanky for Jackies dance teacher. Ivard & I went over to see Mrs Lenz, her husband died last nite.

Thurs, Dec 21.  I spent all morning makeing a batch of ice box cookies & a batch of ginger snaps & washed 2 batches of cloths. Ivard, Jerry & I went up to church to Mutual officers Party. nice supper & gift exchange.

Fri, Dec 22.  Relief society brought us a big Xmas box - Turkey - candy - nuts - oranges - apples. Ivard & Jackie went to Nyssa & stayed all nite. I made 3 big carrot puddings then went to Caldwell & paid our personal taxes, last years water taxes. I baked 7 dz. icebox cookies. Took a pudding & bottle of jam over to Lenz's. Me & Kids went to Ward Xmas Party.

Sat, Dec 23.  Ivard & Jackie got home from Adrian.

Sun, Dec 24.  Jerry - Ray & Dean went to Priesthood & Sunday school, Ray came home & got Ivard, Dale, Jackie & I & we went to Sunday school Xmas programe. Came home & I got dinner while Jerry - Ray & Dean went to Stake priesthood meeting. We ate when they got home at 4: Jerry & Ray went to church early & Ivard & I & little Kids went at 7:15. A short Xmas programe by choir. We were home by 8:45 & got Kids to bed & Ivard & I wrapped rest of our presents.

Mon, Dec 25.  Kids got up at 5:30 so we got up & opened presents. We really had a wonderful Xmas and Ivard out of work. Jerry & Ray really went all out. I cooked bacon & eggs & we had breakfast & Ivard & all the Kids went back to bed. I got house all cleaned up & washed some cloths & Ray & Dean did dishes then at noon Gene took Jerry - Ray - Dean & Dale & Jackie & went to Kotters a few min. then they headed for Adrian to Gails. Ivard & I left them a little later & met them at Wilder. We played games & opened presents then had a big Turkey dinner. We visited while Jerry & Ray did dishes. Gail, Lynda & all 3 Kids were so sick they could hardly sit up, flue, Gene drove them over to hospital & they all had shot. We came home at 8:

Tues, Dec 26.  Jerry & Ray went to work all day. Got my new electric blanket on my bed. Ivard & Ray left at 6:30 for Caldwell & Ray played church ball. They beat Homedale. Jerry & I played games with Kids.

Wed, Dec 27.  I made waffles for breakfast. Ray left at 10: for church where his sunday school class met to go to Idaho City & spend the day sleigh rideing. He didn't have to work today.

Thurs, Dec 28.  We went over to Adrian to see how Gail & them were, they feel a little better. Ivard wanted to go to ball game & I wouldn't, so we came home at 6:30, he never spoke all the way. We got home at 7:30 & played games & watched T.V. Dean had fixed supper & they had eaten.

Fri, Dec 29.  I put a roast on & made some Jello Salad for supper. Gail & Gene came & we played Clue. Gail had been to Caldwell takeing Civil Service Test. They went home about 4: and Ivard went with them to stay until Monday.

Sat, Dec 30.  Took down Xmas tree. Jerry & Ray went to Stake New Years dance. Relief Society Teachers came.

Sun, Dec 31.  I got up & made a jello Shrimp Salad for dinner. Jerry - Ray & Dean went to Priesthood & Ray came home & took Dale & Jackie to Sunday School. They all looked so nice in their new Xmas cloths. I played Salataire. Kids came home & Ray went over to Smalls for the afternoon with Dickie in our Pick-up. We ate. Ray & Dickie came & went to church with us. Jerry brought us home. Kids went to bed at 10: & I made icebox rolls & got my books up & wrote letters & watched T.V.

6 What in the world

An invitation to greater faithfulness

The following letter from the First Presidency (Presidents Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf) was addressed to the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was to be read in sacrament meetings:

"As we approach the close of another year, we express gratitude for the good being done by Church members throughout the world. We are aware, however, of the continued suffering of so many. We urge members of the Church to greater faithfulness in keeping their sacred covenants, honoring the Sabbath day, fasting with a prayerful heart, and paying a full tithe and a generous fast offering.

"Church members will soon have the privilege of meeting with their bishops for tithing settlement and a review of their fast-offering donations. We invite you to avail yourselves of this opportunity to be faithful in the payment of tithes and generous in your fast offerings. These sacred contributions are used to build up God's kingdom on earth and to assist those in need. Faithful observance of these principles will bring blessings to the saints and relief to the distressed."

Christmas devotional

The First Presidency invites Church members and their friends to participate in this year's Christmas devotional on Sunday evening, December 4, beginning at 6:00 p.m. mountain standard time. The one-hour program will feature Christmas messages from Presidents Thomas S. Monson, Henry B. Eyring, and Dieter F. Uchtdorf, as well as music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square.

Those wishing to watch the broadcast from their homes may access it live on various broadcast, cable, satellite, and Internet television stations and broadcast, satellite, and Internet radio stations throughout the world, including Mormon Channel HD Radio. The devotional will also be available online at mormonchannel.org (audio only) and LDS.org (audio and video).

Audio and video archives in multiple languages will be available on LDS.org shortly after the broadcast.

Anniversary of Welfare Program

The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Welfare Program. Aside from noting the program’s historic anniversary, the resolution congratulated, “the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the significant contribution that its Welfare Program has had on United States citizens and many people throughout the world; and commend[ed] the many efforts made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its members, through its Welfare Program, to serve others regardless of religious affiliation.”

7 A final word

Last week we celebrated Thanksgiving. And now our attention turns to Christmas. We think about and hopefully are grateful for the many gifts in our lives, the tender mercies that come in unexpected moments from our Heavenly Father.

Of course the greatest gift of all is His sending His Son into mortality. What a remarkable gift! That is, after all, the reason we even celebrate Christmas. And it is by far the greatest evidence of His love for us.

But there are daily reminders, the spiritual gifts He sends along the way to lift and bless our own lives and to help us be more profitable servants in lifting and blessing the lives of those about us. Such gifts, the Lord has said, "are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do” (D&C 46:9).

There are many kinds of gifts. The scriptures mention some common ones found among true disciples of the Savior: faith, testimony, hope, charity, administration, teaching, wisdom, knowledge, the faith to heal, the faith to be healed, the working of miracles, prophecy, the administration of angels, discerning of spirits, tongues, the interpretation of tongues (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 12­–14; Moroni 10:8–23; and D&C 46:8–26).

Five marvelous chapters in the scriptures (1 Corinthians 12-14, Moroni 10, and section 46 of the Doctrine and Covenants) contain the most comprehensive listing of spiritual gifts.

Elder Marvin J. Ashton, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles (1915–1994), on one occasion pointed out some less con­spicu­ous spiritual gifts that we may enjoy: “The gift of asking; the gift of lis­tening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding con­tention; the gift of being agreeable; the gift of avoiding vain repeti­tion; the gift of seek­ing that which is righteous; the gift of not pass­ing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; the gift of be­ing a disciple; the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing mighty testi­mony; and the gift of re­ceiv­ing the Holy Ghost” (“There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20).

And a final gift that is worthy of particular mention this time of year: the loved ones in our lives. Family members. Friends. Associates. Let us during this holiday season and always treasure those relationships that enrich and bless and lift our lives. Let us be grateful for the people who make our journey through life worthwhile.