Looking back at a memorable holiday

I have always been a fan of time travel. I love the idea of being able to travel forward and backward in time, encountering the future or the past in surprising ways. I was fascinated to learn in my studies of the brain that we have a form of time travel built into us: memory. Our remarkable brains allow us to go back to specific times in our lives and recall people, places, and events with surprising detail. A beautiful gift.

So, let’s do a little time travel. Let’s go to, say, January 5, 2022. Yep, we are moving forward in time. It’s cold. Maybe snow. Maybe lots of it. School and work are back in normal session and have been for a couple of days. You with me? Now let’s review your holiday season of 2021. What do you see? What happened in your life? In your family’s lives? What things did you do that made this holiday season special?

One of my favorite hymns is written by Will Thompson: “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?” It is a series of questions we can apply to our view of the end of 2021. “Have I done any good in the world today?” Did we take any opportunities to serve at Thanksgiving or Christmas? “Have I helped anyone in need?” Who could we have helped? The recently arrived Afghan refugees? A co-worker? My neighbor? “Have I cheered up the sad, and made someone feel glad?” Card or note to a friend? A call to someone homebound? A case of peanut butter packs to the teen shelter? “If not, I have failed indeed.”

“Has anyone’s burden been lighter today because I was willing to share?” Did we share our gratitude at Thanksgiving? The Christmas story with our children? Money or time with those in need? “Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?” Did you help out a local homeless shelter? Were you able to serve at the Thanksgiving Blessing event or the local food banks? “When they needed my help was I there?” Did my family take advantage of the service ideas on the Light the World advent calendar or participate in the Mat-Su Special Santa program?

And then the vigorous chorus: “Then wake up and do something more than dream of your mansions above.” Sometimes, to do something more, we need to do some things less. What things did we stop doing so we could do something better? “Doing good is a pleasure, a joy beyond measure. A blessing of duty and love.” A beautiful Christmas gift to our loving Savior.

As you “remember” the last weeks of 2021, what does your family joyfully recall? Cookies on the doorstep (my children loved the ring and the run)? Skype with a distant family member? The re-enactment of the nativity, complete with Grandpa and Grandma? The letters to loved ones?

So, let’s turn off the time machine and find ourselves back in early November. The holidays are before us. There is still time to plan and to act. Have a family council: What do your family members want to do? Whom do they want to bless? What do you want to have happen?

JustServe.org lists local volunteer opportunities. Enter your zip code and extend the area radius to 25 miles to get projects across the Valley. You can make lunches for Kids Kupboard, help with Mat-Su Special Santa, volunteer for Family Promise, provide refugee assistance, and so much more!

Also check out the LightTheWorld.org website, which will go live on Nov. 15 and includes an advent calendar full of suggestions of simple, loving, Christ-like activities, and beautiful Christmas videos.

Remember, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt 25:40). This year, let’s plan ahead to make the holidays a little holier.

Kristin Fry is a teacher, music lover, and a fan of Christmastime. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

More information:

cssalaska.org/afghanrelief Donate, volunteer, or send cards of encouragement to Afghan refugees who recently arrived in Alaska.

www.fpm-su.com Family Promise – Mat-Su, a local shelter: learn how to donate, volunteer, get involved.

foodbankofalaska.org/blessing Donate or volunteer for the Thanksgiving Blessing food distribution in the Mat-Su Valley on Saturday, November 20.

lighttheworld.org This website will go live on November 15, including

specialsanta.net Website to volunteer or donate to this program for families in need at Christmas. My family loved doing this!

justserve.org A link to many local service opportunities. Widen the search area to 25 miles to include the whole Valley. Food bank, library, senior center connections and so much more. Make the Valley a happier place by serving locally.