"Oh, look at that house!" My mom exclaimed as we turned down another street in our Christmas light looking adventure. The house looked like the Griswolds lived there with the amount of lights and decorations placed on the home.
"Wow," my younger brothers, Taylor and Skylar, said together, less excited than they were an hour ago when the trip started. It was starting to get later, and it was obvious all five of us kids were getting tired.
Everyone was dressed in their brand new pajamas that we opened before heading out on our light search. This year, I was adorned in Utah Utes pajama pants that had red and black plaid stripes and a black Under Armour shirt. It was always some type of pajama pants and a shirt, and we opened new ones every year.
We headed home in almost complete silence except for the soft Christmas music playing on the radio. Some of us drifted in and out of sleep, not fully falling asleep because of anticipation for the next morning.
We arrived home, and everyone gathered around our family room to read the Christmas story, say a family prayer and then get ready and go to bed.
My dad was the only one who ever pulled out his Bible to read the story, probably because none of the kids knew where the story was found at this point. I know I didn't. Every year, he would read in Luke chapter 2:
"1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
"Wise men still seek Him." Picture from lds.org.
By this point, everyone seemed to have heavy eyelids. It was time to get ready for bed. We all scattered to brush our teeth and gather blankets and pillows to create a makeshift bed, because all the kids slept in the same room.
"Ok, guys, here is our schedule," my oldest sister, Aimee, said. "We're going to wake up at 5:30. We're going to brush our teeth and clean up our beds. We will wake mom and dad up at 6."
Everyone agreed on the schedule. The schedule was an annual thing. It was generally the same every year. As we got older, we tried pushing the times back, but Taylor and Skylar didn't like that idea because they were still excited to get up as early as allowed to see what they would get.
We all climbed into our makeshift beds and fell asleep. Some faster than others as excitement kept us awake. Tomorrow would be Christmas Day.
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