Handmade Christmas

So this year for Christmas, Mom and Dad gave us some money and in return said we couldn't buy them anything so we were out to make them something fun. I made a tree out of all our hands and quilted it onto a big square it turned out quite cute, I just didn't get a picture yet when I do I will post it. But to go along with it Steve wrote this poem. It is amazing and I couldn't help but post it, I think we might even send it in to the Ensign, we'll see. But here it is:


The very first experience of Baby Jesus was the warmth of gentle hands helping him through the birth process, cleaning him, and wrapping him in swaddling clothes. Loving hands snuggled him close to a mother who pondered his godhood in her heart. Strong and obedient hands protected him as an infant from the savage brutality of a jealous king. Parental hands guided him as he grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. Prophetic hands yearned to be baptized of him. yet consented to lay him under the water to fulfill all righteousness.

His hands would go about doing good. His beckoning hands invited fisherman to become fishers of men. His merciful hands would heal those who sought him in faith. His shepherding hands would brake bread and feed thousands. His comforting hands would hold two sisters that wept at the death of their brother, wipe their tear stained cheeks, and then, in Godly confidence, call him from the grave. His strong hands would rebuke those that would make his Fathers house a den of thieves, yet give grace to the women taken in adultery by writing in the sand.

The time came for his hands to pick up that cup which the Father had given him. Grateful hands would anoint him with oil. Crowds of hands would raise and wave palm branches at his return to Jerusalem. Wicked hands would sell their souls for thirty pieces of silver. His hands, and his soul, would tremble and bleed from every pore and beg the Father for another way. Angelic hands would come to give strength and comfort. Legions of satanic hosts would unleash hell, in all its depth and fury, upon hands that humbly offered, never the less not my will, but thine be done.

Cruel hands would strip Him of his raiment, whip him, and force a crown of thorns upon His head. Judgmental hands would mock and condemn Him as he carried His cross up Golgotha's Hill. Roman hands would drive nails through the palms of His hands spread wide as eternity and through his feet to secure him to the cross. Unknowing hands would raise His cross with the handwritten inscription, King of the Jews, above His head. His final words, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.

Friendly hands would take His lifeless body from the cross and prepare it for burial. Hardened hands would cause the tomb to be sealed with a stone. For three days mourning hands would lament his loss. Then those glad tiding of great joy spoken by angelic lips as they beckoned with their hands toward the tomb, "Why seek ye the living among the dead. He is not here but is risen." Joyful apostolic hands gathered and felt the wounds in His hands and in His side and in His feet, and thus became a living witness to the glorious resurrected Lord.

May your hands find moments this season to be still and ponder on the hands that make Christmas.


I love this, Steve is very humble about it but it makes me ponder on how am I using my hands. Am I using them for good or evil?