Winter Solstice 2020: A Message from Pres. Nelson

APOD: 2020 December 20 - A Volcanic Great Conjunction

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years” Genesis 1:14

Today is the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere, and a rare astronomical event, with the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn in the night sky. Some people are calling this the Christmas star. I don’t think this was or is the Christmas star, but it’s still exciting to observe the stars in the sky and know that they were put there by Heavenly Father.

Today on his facebook page, Pres. Nelson shared this message:

Avoiding the Christmas Wars

This year I’m not feeling my usual anxiety — I don’t want to say yet, maybe it will come, maybe it won’t. Who knows. I’m glad though that right now, I”m not stressing about the holidays like I usually do. That said, I’ve noticed the same holiday stories creeping into my newsfeeds and those things might give me anxiety!

I’m not linking to any particular story — no one needs clicks from me — but you know what I’m talking about:

“Saying Happy Holidays is More Inclusive than Saying Merry Christmas.”

“Bring Back Merry Christmas!”

“We Only Celebrate Christmas Here!”

“Christian Groups upset over Starbucks Holiday Cup.”

“10 People Trampled on Black Friday at a Flash Toaster Sale”

Arg! You know these headlines. You see them too. Make them stop! Continue reading

Merry Musical Christmas 2017

Merry Christmas from all of us at The Millennial Star!

“Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.

And it came to pass that there was no darkness in all that night, but it was as light as though it was mid-day. And it came to pass that the sun did rise in the morning again, according to its proper order; and they knew that it was the day that the Lord should be born, because of the sign which had been given.

And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets.

And it came to pass also that a new star did appear, according to the word.” 3 Nephi 1: 13, 19-21

More Christmas Music:
Four Favorite Christmas Videos
David Archuleta and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – A Wondrous Christmas
A Christmas To Remember – Laura Osnes, Martin Jarvis, Met Soloists and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
John Rhys-Davies and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – A Dickens Christmas
Jane Seymour and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – The Spirit of Giving

The Fourth Sunday of Advent

Advent is a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ and the celebration of Christmas. This year my family and I have been celebrating the Festival of Advent with devotionals each Sunday night. Find our FIRST, SECOND and THIRD weeks devotionals by clicking the links.

One Christmas tradition we do in our family is to open a book each night in December and read it. It’s a good thing for me, because it’s the only time I am consistent about reading to my children. Although I will admit this week we’ve missed more than a few nights. Over time it’s my goal to replace the five copies of Clement Clarke Moore’s “Night Before Christmas” with books that center more on Jesus Christ and the events of His birth in Bethlehem.

Two books that we enjoy are The Animals’ Christmas Eve by Gail Wiersum and In The Dark Streets Shineth by David McCullough. Continue reading