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Editor’s Note: As part of the #LightTheWorld campaign, Meridian’s authors have been asked to take turns chiming in a word or two about the service prompts that have been given as part of the #LightTheWorld calendar.

To download your own copy of the calendar, CLICK HERE.

Creating art that expresses our feelings about the Savior is one of the suggestions in the Church’s Light the World campaign. I am such a fan of children’s art that I just had to enlist the Starrs, a wonderful Latter-day Saint family across the street. Since I have no grandkids of my own, you guessed it, I have basically hijacked them.

When I walked in, two of them began playing Christmas songs on the piano. Then three of them gathered around a table with me and made a vibrant, heartfelt nativity scene from the Play-Doh I brought.

They lovingly crafted Baby Jesus in swaddling clothes, Mary, Joseph, a Wise Man, and a shepherd. Then they added a donkey, some sheep, and even a cute little pig.

It reminded me of a time years ago, when one of our young sons made tiny little irons out of clay, and placed one beside each person, “because after traveling all that way, their clothes would be wrinkly.”

Our kids would add little action figures from time to time, not to spoil the traditional nativity scene, but to emphasize the majesty of Christ, and how everyone—even a superhero—should come to worship Him.

For generations, people around the world have crafted amazing and glorious nativity figures, but none elicit more affection for our Lord than the tender versions of children. Merry Christmas to all!

Hilton’s newest work, A Little Christmas Prayer, is destined to become a Christmas classic. Sometimes it takes a child to raise a village, and this tale teaches anyone, of any faith, the magic of gratitude. All her books and Youtube Mom videos can be found on her website. She currently serves as an Interfaith Specialist for Public Affairs.