Christmas—what a special time of year! For many, it is a favorite holiday. But the meaning goes far beyond cookies, music, and presents. It’s about the risen Christ Who has come to this world to save us from our sins. That is something to be excited about!
  
​Even though most of us are quite aware of this wonderful news, we occasionally take it for granted and do not joyfully share it with others. But Christmas is a time when we have ample opportunity to proclaim Christ’s birth, death, resurrection, and the gospel message. Here I would like to share with you an ideal way to do that.

My Dear Virtuous Daughters, I would like to tell you a little story. There once was a young girl named Carrie Fisher. She came from a poor family so she had to make a
living by washing dishes in the kitchen of a rich family’s home. One day as she was drying some forks and knives, she began singing a song that encouraged Christians to shine in their corner for Christ. As she sang, she realized that she had the opportunity right where she was to shine in her corner. So she became more diligent at her work and made an effort to make each of those forks and knives to sparkle.

We can learn so much from the lives of others. Thankfully, the Word of God is brimming full of examples of godly men and women for us to learn and benefit from. Here are just a few: 

“I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding. And lo it was all grown over with thorns and nettles covered the face thereof and the stonewall thereof was broken down.” (Proverbs 24:30–31) This verse can easily be applied to a dirty kitchen, an unruly bedroom, and a smelly bathroom. It also says in Proverbs 19:24, “A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” So girls, when our mother tells us to clean our rooms, let’s do it thoroughly. 

Darling Virtuous Daughters,
  
​As the beginning of the new year is generally a time when we all do a good clean up, I thought of some tips to help us clean up our spiritual lives as well...

I remember there was a time when all I would drink was milk. Now I enjoy milk, but I really liked it then. I kept exclaiming, “I can’t believe I’m drinking this much milk. I’ll just drink one huge glass at a time.” Now I know why I enjoyed milk so much....

“Children, it’s housecleaning day!” Mother’s cheerful words struck dread in my seven-year-old heart. Ever since I could remember, I hated to clean our home. Even the suggestion of a cursory tidying of the living room nearly sent me into convulsions; and if one should mention deep-cleaning my disaster of a bedroom, I would venture very close to death. However, my mother gently reminded me of Colossians 3:23, which says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Housecleaning certainly fit in this category! Over time, the stirring truth of this verse slowly dawned on my mind, and I began to realize I was definitely not performing my duties “unto the Lord.” I was, at best, a grudging worker who half-heartedly executed the minimal requirements so I could skip outside and play. As I focused my energies wholeheartedly on my housecleaning responsibilities, I discovered a satisfaction in joyfully fulfilling my tasks in a way that pleased and honored the Lord. And, ironically, I found that I actually enjoyed some aspects of housecleaning! I do still occasionally struggle with keeping a glad heart during chore time, but I try to remember the reward the Lord gives a cheerful attitude, the reward given on this earth and in the world to come. I would like to share with you the method I used to finally conquer my dusty room and beat the cobwebs into submission.  

Dear Young Ladies,

I have found that exercise helps a lot! I especially like doing it around the house, like…doing just ten jumping jacks. Or sometimes I have races with my siblings. That’s pretty fun!

I also like running in the backyard with my dogs. You could also make a chart for yourself.
And one thing that helped me get into the routine of exercising is to only do a little bit one day, then do more and more each day so that you get better.

Also make up some stuff and mix it in with other exercises, and then have some fun with naming them weird stuff like “Hippopotamus Jump,” or something like that. Well, I hope you find my tips useful.

​In His Service,
Susannah 

Dear Virtuous Daughters,

​Cleaning is one of those things I don’t like to do, but I feel very glad once I’ve done it. (Exercising is another!) What helps me the most is to make a list of tasks needed to be completed. Then I feel I can break it down into smaller jobs. I feel overwhelmed when there is too much to do. I have to see it as a smaller job, and then I can tackle it.

It is God’s will that we be content with everything that He has given or not given us. It is Satan’s goal to do everything he can to make us discontent with what God has given or not given.