Christmases kids remember best

There's nothing quite like viewing Christmas through a child's eyes.

Today, the Deseret News offers a glimpse into young hearts, as elementary school children unfold and illustrate their favorite yuletide experiences, in place of our regularly featured Reading page.

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Story by Justin Hicken

Illustration by Luke Busico

Sixth grade, Bonneville Elementary School, Salt Lake City

I remember on my ninth Christmas, on a windy Friday night, I went with my family and grandparents to look at the Temple Square lights and the creative Christmas candy windows at ZCMI. We had so much fun there that it has become a family tradition.

My grandma's favorite story growing up was Henry Van Dyke's "The Other Wise Man." When we heard that it was a movie playing at the visitors center at Temple Square, we went over to see it. After I saw it, I loved it just as much as my grandma.

"The Other Wise Man" is about a magi named Artaban. Artaban kept looking for the Christ child, following in his footsteps, but never actually seeing him.

Along his search, he helped many hurt and oppressed people. Before Artaban died, he found out, like I did, that giving presents is better than receiving them. Receiving presents is always fun, but it doesn't always last.

I learned this on that same Christmas, when I got a new Nintendo game. It was really fun at first, but then the excitement of it died and it wasn't as fun anymore.

When you give a present, the warm feeling always stays with you. When my family and I secretly gave a needy family presents, it was a wonderful and satisfying feeling. I still vividly remember that experience and that joyful feeling.

One of my Christmas wishes would be to be able to always think about giving rather than receiving. It doesn't matter if the gift is small or inexpensive. Truly, the best gifts are when you give from the heart, not just to gain recognition or as an obligation.

That is the true meaning of Christmas.

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Story and illustration by Winnie Kwok

Fifth grade, Franklin Elementary School, Provo