What is the most heart felt gift you've ever received?

A few weeks ago at dinner my mom asked us this question: What’s the most memorable or heart felt gift you have ever received?
You would think with all the gift giving, especially this time of year, it would be easy for us to remember just one gift. You’d be shocked when you really stop to think about it. For me, only a few gifts really stick out. We all took turns going around the room sharing our one gift, and I loved hearing from everyone. You should ask your loved ones this question when you’re gathered together this Christmas, you’ll love hearing all their responses.

For me, the gift that stands out the most was a simple act of kindness. It was Christmas Eve of 2011, we had just lost our baby girl Afton in November of that year who was born premature and passed one week later, and it was such a tender time for our family. I was basically a mess, in and out of tears. I remember being with family trying to keep it together, but Christmas is just hard when you’re missing someone. Later that night we returned home to find an anonymous gift, a glass jar on our porch filled with money. It was such a simple act of kindness, one that I will never forget. Because this little jar was given anonymously, and we still to this day don’t know who gave it to us, makes it so special. It wasn’t about the money, it was all about that someone was thinking about us. I truly believe we all can be the lord’s hands here on the earth, and that night someone was for us.

You might be familiar with the book: Christmas Jars, I had yet to learn about this book until after we had received this sweet gift. We have now made this a Christmas tradition for our family. It has been such a great way to include our kids and get them involved in giving and to feel the Christmas spirit.

This Christmas if you’re feeling like you are just going through the motions and checking things off your list, and you feel like you’re missing the true spirit of Christmas…remember it doesn’t take much to make someone’s day. Through little small acts of kindness and service you can really feel the Christmas spirit. All this month we are participating in the #LightTheWorld campaign hosted by my church: 25 ways to serve in 25 days. Each day there is a new video with a different idea in ways you can serve those around you. It’s been a blessing for our family to participate.

(Click video to watch full screen, or you can watch it on LDS.org here.)

I hope you can take time to slow down during the Christmas rush and find a simple way to make someone’s day, because in turn it will make yours. <3

I would love to hear from you. What is the most memorable or heart felt gift you have ever received?