Since their children were young, Elder D. Todd Christofferson and Kathy Christofferson have had a Christmas tradition of making gingerbread homes. In recent years, they’ve started building larger creations to donate to the Festival of the Trees—a silent auction fundraiser that supports Primary Children’s Hospital in Utah.
“What it does raise funds for is the medical expenses for children, ... those [who] probably can’t afford to get the treatment otherwise,” Sister Christofferson explained in a recent video. “That’s why it’s such a great fundraiser, and the whole community gets involved with this.”
“I marvel each year at what Kathy makes happen,” Elder Christofferson shared. “She sketches [the design] out—it’s got the exact measurements. Then, she bakes the gingerbread.”
In past years, the Christoffersons have created gingerbread replicas of their children’s homes. But as their children’s families have grown, the Christoffersons have turned their focus toward the patients at Primary Children’s Hospital.
This Christmas tradition has impacted countless children and families throughout the years, including a woman who shared her experience in the video’s comments section on Facebook. She wrote:
“As a former recipient of the generosity of people like your wife who donated their amazing talents, I must say thank you. When I was young, my mother was divorced and struggling to get by, living paycheck to paycheck with five young children. And then I became a patient at Primary Children’s Medical Center. She didn’t know how she would pay for my care. But she didn’t know how she wouldn’t pay for my care. And she didn’t have to worry about it. It’s one way of doing for others what they can’t do for themselves, just like the Savior has done for us. Thank you!”
As Elder and Sister Christofferson have participated in this tradition together, they have focused more on Jesus Christ.
“Christmas and Christmas traditions really are about giving,” Elder Christofferson said. “As you think about it, really, the great gift, of course, is the Savior Himself. And I bear witness of the reality of His Resurrection, of His life today, the living Savior, the living Redeemer, whom we celebrate all the time, and especially now, at this Christmas season.”
Watch the full video in the player below.
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