Merry Christmas

A few days ago, we decorated our home for the Christmas season.  I engaged in my annual tradition of climbing up the ladder to hang the outside Christmas lights--with no serious injuries to myself or the house this time :)  In the evening, we gathered together as a family to place the ornaments on our tree with Christmas music playing in the background.  What a special and unique time of year this is to be able to focus more intently on the things that are most important, including family, serving others, and the sacred and miraculous birth of our Savior more than 2000 years ago.  As I write this post, I am looking out the window as the snow is falling and blowing in the wind.  There are few things I enjoy more than being snug inside our cozy home together as a family during the Christmas season while the snow falls outside.  Although my oldest son, Brendan, is in Scotland and will not be with us this Christmas season, I know that we are bound together as a family and that he will feel our love and support across that long distance.  It is my hope that you will all have a warm and peaceful Christmas season.  The beautiful and inspired artwork for this album was painted by my extraordinarily talented brother-in-law, J. Kirk Richards.  You can check out his amazing paintings and sculptures at www.jkirkrichards.com.  Also, if you have not already done so, it is time to create your David Tolk (Holiday) station on Pandora so that you can enjoy a great collection of peaceful instrumental Christmas music.