Christmas Quotes

First Presidency Christmas Message, 2003
At this sacred season, we reaffirm the reality of the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We testify that He was the only perfect man ever to walk the earth. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38) and beckons to all, “Come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).
It is His holy influence that stirs mankind to acts of mercy and kindness. He who has “borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” (Isa. 53:4) inspires each of us to reach out with love to the poor, the lonely, and the downtrodden.
May this Christmas season remind us that the Prince of Peace, who stilled the tempest on the Sea of Galilee, has the power to calm the storms in our personal lives. May His peace fill our hearts and homes throughout the coming year as we strive to walk in His ways.
“First Presidency Christmas Message,” Liahona, Dec. 2003, 1

First Presidency Christmas Message, 2000
"As we approach the end of this historic year 2000 and the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we testify of His living reality.
"Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life.
"We solemnly declare that He is indeed 'the way, the truth, and the life,' and that 'no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Him]' (John 14:6).
"May each of us determine to follow Him more faithfully as we keep our Father's commandments and serve our fellow man.
Sincerely,
Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson
James E. Faust

First Presidency Christmas Message, 1999
At this historic time when we enter the year 2000 and bridge to another century, we again echo the message of the ages that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. We solemnly testify that the message of His life and mission is found in its fullness in our day and time.
The influence of the Savior, His matchless example of goodness and mercy, and His incomparable teachings have filtered down through the ages to become the catalyst which brings acts of kindness and love to mankind.
May we, during this wonderful Christmas season and throughout the coming year, resolve to be more charitable and to live as He would have us live by walking in His footsteps toward a glorious future.
Sincerely Yours,
Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson
James E. Faust

1998 - A Christmas Message from the First Presidency to the Children of the World: “Peace on Earth”
Throughout this wonderful Christmas season, we often hear the words “Peace on earth,” which is a reminder to us of the message delivered by the heavenly hosts to the humble shepherds at the time of our Savior’s birth in Bethlehem (see Luke 2:13-14).
The great message of peace which the angels proclaimed that night so long ago is the message which we declare at this Christmas season. “Peace on earth” can come to each of us because of Jesus Christ and His love for each of us.
Peace comes to us as we follow our Savior by being kind to others, obeying parents, praying each day, reading the scriptures, and trying to be more like Jesus in thought, word, and deed.
And as the Savior calmed the “great storm” on the Sea of Galilee with the words “Peace, be still” (see Mark 4:37-39), so He will calm our hearts and give us peace as we trust in Him and do what He has asked us to do.
At this Christmastime, we bear testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. We testify that through Him we may have the peace which was declared at His birth. May His peace be in your hearts and in your homes this Christmas. With love, The First Presidency
“Peace on Earth,” Friend, Dec. 1998, 3

First Presidency Christmas Greeting 1992

We rejoice with all of Christianity during this blessed time of year when our thoughts turn toward Him whose birth we celebrate, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We love Him, we praise Him, and we invite all to come unto Him.
He alone lived a perfect life and made atonement for the sins of others by doing the will of His Father. Little wonder that at His birth angels sang, a new star arose, wise men took notice, and prophets rejoiced. His gospel is a message of love.
It was He who with great love and tenderness invoked a blessing of comfort: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
We humbly extend a blessing of peace and comfort to all who seek the Lord during this holy season. May the coming year be filled with joy and find us obedient to the commandments of God as exemplified in the life of His Son.
"First Presidency Christmas Greeting,” Tambuli, Dec. 1992, 1

First Presidency Christmas Greeting 1991
At a Christmas season when we are witnessing turmoil in the world, we pause to remember that the gospel of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is our only hope for peace on earth and goodwill toward mankind.
The message of an angel to the humble shepherds keeping watch over their flocks near Bethlehem was “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
A multitude of the heavenly host then joined the angel to praise God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).
We rejoice with you at this glorious time of year when all Christendom celebrates the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. That we all may rededicate ourselves to living according to His gospel principles, which provide the only sure path to lasting peace and well-being for the world, is our hope and prayer for this Christmas season.
President Ezra Taft Benson
President Gordon B. Hinckley
President Thomas S. Monson
“First Presidency Christmas Greeting,” Tambuli, Dec. 1991

First Presidency Christmas Greeting 1989
We rejoice with you at this glorious time of year when all Christendom celebrates the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As recorded in both the Bible and the Book of Mormon, promised signs appeared in the heavens on that holy night. Humble shepherds keeping watch over their flocks near Bethlehem were among the first to hear of the Savior’s birth. An angel said to them: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. …… And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:10-14).
The central mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is to seek out the humble and the pure in heart and to share with them “good tidings of great joy,” the gospel of Jesus Christ. His gospel is our only hope for peace on earth and good will toward men. May we, at this Christmas season, rededicate ourselves to living the gospel more fully in our homes and to share the gospel more diligently with our brothers and sisters everywhere.
We express our love and appreciation to each of you and wish you and yours a joyous Christmas and a year filled with health and happiness.
The First Presidency
“First Presidency Christmas Greeting,” Tambuli, Dec. 1989

First Presidency Christmas Greeting 1988
We rejoice with you in another wonderful Christmas season when with all Christendom we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Seeing ahead several centuries, the prophet Isaiah said: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given …… And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isa. 9:6.)
After His birth and during His ministry Peter said, “We …… were eye witnesses of his majesty.” (2 Pet. 1:16.)
A century and a half ago, modern-day witnesses declared, “We saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.” (D&C 76:23.)
We testify that it was Jesus Christ who said: “If ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.” (3 Ne. 9:14.)
At this glorious time of year, we again invite all to commit and rededicate their lives to the resurrected Savior and the precepts He taught.
The First Presidency
“First Presidency Christmas Greeting,” Tambuli, Dec. 1988, 2

First Presidency Christmas Greeting 1985
To all people everywhere, we send our love and greetings during this holy season. As witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ we proclaim that He truly is the Savior of all. He whose birth the Christian world celebrates is indeed the Son of God, the Redeemer, the promised Messiah.
No message is more significant than the one He brought. No event is of greater importance than His atoning sacrifice and subsequent resurrection. And no mortal tongue can express sufficient thanks for all that Jesus has done for us.
We are aware that even during this happy season there are those who sorrow or are otherwise burdened. To such especially we extend our love and compassion.
To those who yearn for peace, we announce that it may be found with the Prince of Peace. Even in these tumultuous times the individual who turns to Christ can find the inner peace that surpasses understanding.
To those who mourn we speak comfort. Know that your Savior is well acquainted with grief. He who notes the sparrow’s fall is aware of you and desires to comfort and bless you. Turn to Him and lay your burden at His feet.
To those burdened and sorrowing with guilt, we offer hope. Your Redeemer loves you with a perfect love. He died to pay for the sins of all who truly repent and follow the course He prescribed. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” He promised. (Isa. 1:18.) Accept the healing of spirit that He alone can give.
To those who are lonely, we extend the hand of friendship and fellowship. We invite you to become one with us in worship and in the service of the Master.
Finally, we encourage those who recognize the Lord’s blessings and great mercy in their lives to reach out and bless the lives of others. By so doing, you can go beyond the mere custom and ritual of the season. You can become instruments through which the Lord blesses the poor, the lonely, the despairing. You will have a greater sense of the reality of the Savior’s existence. And your celebration of his birth will indeed be joyous.
“First Presidency Christmas Greeting 1985,” Tambuli, Dec. 1985

First Presidency Christmas Message 1984
To the people of all nations we extend our love and greetings this holy season. We proclaim that the babe born in Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago was indeed the Christ, the Savior of all mankind. In him all humankind, past, present, and future, have hope. In him can be found the personal peace that eludes so much of the world.
The events that began in Bethlehem and ended in Jerusalem are the focal point of all history. The humble birth we commemorate was prelude to the awesome events of Gethsemane and Calvary, and Christmas takes on its deepest meaning when we recall that the ministry that began in a stable ended with an empty tomb.
The proper celebration of Christmas is a joyous expression of thanks to God for the marvelous gift of his Only Begotten Son. The season’s hymns and carols are a continuing echo of the angelic anthems heard by the shepherds.
We join with Nephi, the prophet of old, in proclaiming that “we rejoice in Christ.” (2 Ne. 25:26.) The righteous of ancient times looked forward to His coming with faith and hope. We look back on his mortal ministry with humble gratitude. And we, too, look forward with hope and faith to the time when He shall return again.
We pray that all may seek the peace that is to be found in Christ; that all may look beyond the merchandising and socializing to the One whose birth we celebrate. Among the many lands where Christmas is celebrated, there are a great variety of holiday traditions. We would encourage a tradition of worshiping the Savior through loving service to fellowmen. May the kindness, forgiveness, and personal righteousness demonstrated by the Savior be manifest in the lives of countless people throughout the world. For, just as Bethlehem’s bright star guided the Wise Men to the Savior, Christlike lives today can be a bright beacon to the many who do not yet know of their Redeemer.
That all may find the hope and peace that come through Jesus Christ is our fervent prayer this Christmas season and always.
“First Presidency Christmas Message,” Tambuli, Dec. 1984, 1

First Presidency Christmas Message (from the Friend)
“When we read the story of His birth at this season of the year, the warm inner glow that we feel is our testimony of the reality of Jesus Christ growing within us. It grows, too, as we realize that our very best Christmas traditions are those in which we honor Jesus by doing this for others. The poet James Russell Lowell, writing what he thought the Savior might say, put it this way:
Not what we give, but what we share,
For the gift without the giver is bare;
Who gives himself with his alms feeds three
Himself, his hungering neighbor, and me.
“That you may enjoy all of your Christmas traditions with a growing testimony of Him whose birth we celebrate is our prayer for you and your families during this joyous holiday season and always.”
President Spencer W. Kimball
President Marion G. Romney
President Gordon B. Hinckley


Marvin J. Ashton
"We need the continuing faith to declare to the world that Jesus lives today, that He is our Savior, our friend, the Son of God, and that His church and kingdom are available to all today. God does live. Jesus is one with the Father. It takes self-discipline not only to know but also to declare these truths. With God s love and help all of these things are possible, and they will bring peace and joy to each of us as we know and understand the real meaning of Christmas. An attitude of come and see makes it possible for cherished memories and mountains to overshadow losses and valleys in our quest for the joyous."
(Marvin J. Ashton, "Come and See" New Era, Dec. 1989)

Ezra Taft Benson
~ Christ and Christmas ~
"Without Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy....
"And now, my beloved brothers and sisters, what must we do this Christmas season -- and always? Why, we must do the same as the Wise Men of old. They sought out the Christ and found Him. And so must we. Those who are wise still seek Him today.
"'I would commend you,' urged Moroni, 'to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written.' (Ether 12:41.) And God has provided the means -- the holy scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon -- that all who seek may know that Jesus is the Christ....
"What a gift it would be to receive at Christmastime a greater knowledge of the Lord. What a gift it would be to share that knowledge with others....
"In Book of Mormon language, we need to 'believe in Christ and deny him not.' (2 Ne. 25:28.) We need to trust in Christ and not in the arm of flesh. (See 2 Ne. 4:34.) We need to 'come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.' (Moro. 10:32.) We need to come 'with a broken heart and acontrite spirit' (3 Ne. 12:19), hungering and thirsting after righteousness (see 3 Ne. 12:6). We need to come 'feasting upon the word of Christ' (2 Ne. 31:20), as we receive it through His scriptures, His anointed, and His Holy Spirit.
"In short, we need to follow 'the example of the Son of the living God' (2 Ne. 31:16) and be the 'manner of men' He is (see 3 Ne. 27:27).
"With Moroni, I testify that 'the eternal purposes of the Lord shall roll on, until all his promises shall be fulfilled.' (Morm. 8:22.) “Not many years hence, Christ will come again. He will come in power and might as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. And ultimately every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ."
(Ezra Taft Benson, "Keeping Christ in Christmas," First Pres Christmas Devotional 1 Dec 1988; see Ensign, Dec. 1993)
~ Christmas Gifts ~
“Christ's life, His Church, and the Book of Mormon are but a few of the gifts of Christ that bless us, not only at this Christmas season but throughout our lives.
"So I ask you, what can we possibly give to the Lord this Christmas time? Considering all that He has done and is doing for us, there is something that we might give Him in return.
"Christ's great gift to us was His life and sacrifice. Should that not then be our small gift to Him--our lives and sacrifices, not only now but in the future? A few years ago my colleague Elder Boyd K. Packer said this: 'I'm not ashamed to say that . . . I want to be good. And I've found in my life that it has been critically important [to establish this intention] between me and the Lord so that I knew that he knew which way I committed my agency. I went before Him and said, "I'm not neutral, and you can do with me what you want. If you need my vote, it's there. I don't care what you do with me, and you don't have to take anything from me because I give it to you--everything, all I own, all I am--," and that makes the difference',
("To Those Who Teach in Troubled Times," address delivered at seminary and institute conference, Summer 1970, Salt Lake City).
"Yes, men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life."
(Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ--Gifts & Expectations," Ensign, Dec. 1988, 4)
~ Seeking Christ ~
"Without Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy. . . .
"And now, my beloved brothers and sisters, what must we do this Christmas season -- and always? Why, we must do the same as the Wise Men of old. They sought out the Christ and found Him. And so must we. Those who are wise still seek Him today.
" 'I would commend you,' urged Moroni, 'to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written.'
(Ether 12:41.) And God has provided the means--the holy scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon -- that all who seek may know that Jesus is the Christ. . . .
"The Book of Mormon was designed by Deity to bring men to Christ and to His church. Both we and our
nonmember friends may know that the Book of Mormon is true by putting it to the divine test which Moroni proposed. (See Moro. 10:3-4.) "What a gift it would be to receive at Christmastime a greater knowledge of the Lord. What a gift it would be to share that knowledge with others.
"To that end may I encourage you not only to read the biblical account of Christ's birth, but to read and share with a nonmember acquaintance the Book of Mormon account of Christmas Eve in America and Christ's personal manifestation following His resurrection.
"Give them or lend them a copy of the Book of Mormon, even your own copy if necessary. It could bless them eternally."
(Ezra Taft Benson, "Keeping Christ in Christmas," Ensign, Dec. 1993, 2, 4-5)

Hugh B. Brown
~ the Secret of Christmas ~
"The secret of the popularity of Christmas is that it brings peace to the minds of millions who, for one day at least, think more of others than of themselves, more of giving than of getting.
"If this formula for happiness -- love one another -- is effective for one day, may it not work at other times, at all times? If by giving we receive, and by dividing we increase, why not make happiness permanent by carrying the Christmas spirit throughout the year?" (HBB, "Message to the Central British Mission, Jan 1962;" see The Abundant Life, p. 135)
~ the Spirit of Christmas ~
“This is the secret of the popularity of Christmas. It is the best day of the year, the most joyous because we seek the happiness of others rather than of ourselves. It is the day when love takes command, and men, women, and children, by losing themselves, find joy and peace. For one day, at least, Christendom practices Christianity....
"The spirit of Christmas creates interest in others, minimizes self-serving interests and activities, and searches for opportunities to make others happy. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than in things. We see people struggling and competing with each other and wish we could somehow touch their lives with the joy and gladness of Christmas. The Spirit whispers, 'They are your kinfolk, and their happiness is your concern.'
"During this joyous week we apply the brakes to the driving power of self-interest and, like the propeller on an airplane when its blades are reversed, the pull is in the opposite direction. When speed and altitude are reduced, the details and beauty of life refresh the soul and inspire gratitude and a desire to serve and partially repay our debt to the Giver of life.
"And after the Christmas season has passed, we discover an amazing paradox. We ourselves have experienced more joy while seeking to bring happiness to others than we have known during all the other weeks of the year when we were so selfishly seeking it. How strange it is that, despite this annual lesson, men continue to try to find joy where it has never yet been found in self- aggrandizement, the gratification of appetites, following after pride and vain ambition, or attempting to snatch some advantage from others. During this one week when we lose ourselves we really find ourselves as the Savior promised, and in this discovery we find enduring satisfaction. We become servants, voluntary servants, and thereby find a joy we have not known through the balance of the year.
"The compass of the spirit of Christmas points constantly toward others, never toward ourselves, except to beckon us into the realm of service and comradeship. The spirit of Christmas is ever buoyant, never earthbound or grounded by accumulated mundane things. It soars by the lifting wings of love and distills its blessings, even as the dews from heaven."
(Hugh B. Brown, NBC Series, "Faith in Action," Dec 22, 1963; see The Abundant Life, pp. 305-6)

J. Reuben Clark
~ the Peace of God ~
“Almost two thousand years ago, the angel of the Lord, enveloped in his glory, brought to the lowly, 'sore afraid' shepherds, night-watching their flocks on the hills near Bethlehem, Judea, 'good tidings of great joy' for the peoples of the earth, and declared that on that day was born 'a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.' Isaiah's 'Prince of Peace' had come....
"Who can plumb the depths or climb the heights of the soul-filling joy of his peace that will come with its blessings and glory when we live the law, when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess to God, that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
"The peace, yet vainly sought by men, peoples, and nations, patiently awaits our offering, on the altar of sacrifice, our selfishness, greed, ambition, our thirst for unrighteous power and dominion (still nourished in the minds of men), that peace eagerly, hopefully looks for the day of our living the great commandments, our soul-filling love of God, our love of neighbor as ourselves.
"There will be no permanent peace, till the sacrifice is made and the commandments lived.
"God give us the faith and the power to plant Christ's promised peace in our hearts, that we may assure our own salvation and exaltation, and so stand guiltless before the Lord for the wickedness and warfare of the nations."
(J Reuben Clark, Behold the Lamb of God, pp. 122-23)

Henry B. Eyring
~ Gifts to the Savior ~
"You may well want to give a gift to the Savior. But he seems to have everything, doesn't he? Well, not quite. He doesn't have all of us with him again, forever -- not yet. I hope we are touched enough by the feelings of his heart to sense how much he wants to know each of us is coming home to him. We can't give that gift to him in one day, or in one Christmas. But we could show him today that we are on the way.
"If we have already done that, there is still something left to give. All around us are people he loves, and he wants to help them -- through us.
"One of the sure signs of a person who has accepted the gift of the Savior's atonement is a willingness to give. The process of cleansing our lives seems to make us more sensitive, more generous, more pleased to share what means so much to us....
"I hope that each of us this Christmas season will be touched by the feelings of others and give freely, without compulsion or expectation of gain. I hope we experience the joy of sacrifice, of giving something of ourselves. If we do so, we will learn this final lesson about giving – that those gifts are truly great which are given simply for the joy they bring to another heart." (Henry B. Eyring "Giving with Joy," Ensign, Dec. 1982, p. 11)
"I hope that each of us this Christmas season will be touched by the feelings of others and give freely, without compulsion or expectation of gain. I hope we experience the joy of sacrifice, of giving something of ourselves. If we do so, we will learn this final lesson about giving that those gifts are truly great which are given simply for the joy they bring to another heart."
(Henry B. Eyring, "Giving with Joy" Ensign, Dec. 1982)

James E. Faust
“May the peace of heaven be with us all at this precious time. May burdens be lightened, and suffering be diminished, but mostly may we follow the new commandment given by the Savior that we love one another. In the name of Jesus Christ ...” (James E. Faust, Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 1999)
~ Unselfishness ~
"At this Christmas season, let us take time to ponder the significance of the birth, the life, and the death of the Savior of the world. Of all the pronounce-ments in sacred or profane literature, the announcement of the angel to the shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night was highly significant. . . .
"At the heart of the message of the Savior of the world is a single, glorious, wonderful, still largely untried concept. In its simplest terms the message is that we should seek to overcome the selfishness we all seem to be born with, that we should overcome human nature and think of others before self. We should think of God and serve Him, and think of others and serve them.." (James E. Faust, "A Pattern of Love," Ensign, Dec. 1999, 2, 4)
~ Gratitude ~
"It seems as though there is a tug-of-war between opposing character traits that leaves no voids in our souls. As gratitude is absent or disappears, rebellion often enters and fills the vacuum. I do not speak of rebellion against civil oppression. I refer to rebellion against moral cleanliness, beauty, decency, honesty, reverence, and respect for parental authority. A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being. . . .
"As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us. President J. Reuben Clark, formerly a First Counselor in the First Presidency, said: 'Hold fast to the blessings which God has provided for you. Yours is not the task to gain them, they are here; yours is the part of cherishing them' (Church News, 14 June 1969, 2).
At this Christmas season, I hope that we may cultivate grateful hearts so that we may cherish the multitude of blessings that God has so graciously bestowed. May we openly express such gratitude to our Father in Heaven and our fellowmen."
(James E. Faust, "Gratitude As a Saving Principle," Ensign, Dec. 1996, 5-6)

Vaughn J. Featherstone
"Our Savior teaches in many places in the scriptures the value of giving. At this Christmas season it is interesting to contemplate that for everyone who gives there must also be a receiver. Is the receiver any less a Christian or any less Christlike because circumstances may have put him in a position where he cannot give but must be prepared to receive? Many others who do not need to receive will also have the blessing of receiving. To give or to receive in a Christlike way demands gratitude, gratitude for great blessings if a person be the giver and gratitude to the giver if one is the receiver."
(Vaughn J. Featherstone, "To Give and to Receive" New Era, Dec. 1975)

Bruce C. Hafen
"Certainly Christ might have been born under circumstances so overwhelming and miraculous that all who lived at the time of his birth could not have questioned his supernatural origin. But he came more quietly than that, a light that 'shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.... But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.' (John 1:5, 11-12)
(Bruce C. Hafen "Is Yours a Believing Heart?" "Ensign," Sept. 1974)

Gordon B. Hinckley
~ A Testimony of the Son of God ~
"It is proper during this season when we commemorate His birth that we remember the Lord Jesus Christ in reverence and with love. He has done for us what we could not do for ourselves." (Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Dec. 2002, 2-5) “Christmas means giving. The Father gave His Son, and the Son gave His life. Without giving there is no true Christmas; without sacrifice there is no true worship.” (Gordon B. Hinckley)
“Stand as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. None of us will fully reach a stage where we can walk as He walked in this life, but we can work at it. And the more we work at it, the more easily we shall take on the luster of His imagine in our lives.” (Gordon B. Hinckley)
“God bless the people everywhere, that the overpowering spirit of Christmas may come into the lives of men and women and children throughout the world that their hearts may be opened and their hands extended to help the needy. This is my humble prayer as I add my testimony of the living reality of the Father's Son, He who gave His life for our sins to save us and bless us, in the name of Jesus Christ ...”
(GBH,Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 1999)
~ the Meaning of Christmas ~
"Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful.
"It is peace. It is the peace which comforts, which sustains, which blesses all who accept it.
"It is faith. It is faith in God and His Eternal Son. It is faith in His wondrous ways and message. It is faith in Him as our Redeemer and our Lord.
"We testify of His living reality. We testify of the divinity of His nature. In our times of grateful meditation, we acknowledge His priceless gift to us and pledge our love and faith . This is what Christmas is really about. (Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Season for Gratitude," Ensign, Dec. 1997, pp. 4-5)
"In each of us there is at Christmas-time something of our childhood. We all revel in the fun of Christmas -- of giving and receiving tinseled presents, of singing favorite carols, of feasting on goodies we never miss at other seasons, of gathering together as family and friends, all having a wonderful time. But there is something else, something better, and that is to sit together as families and read again the fascinating story of the birth of Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem of Judea. It is a wondrous story told in language ever so simple and beautiful by the writers of the Gospels of Matthew and Luke."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "To Do Good Always," Ensign, Dec. 1994, p. 2)
"The story of the birth of Jesus is a wondrous story. It is matchless in its simplicity and beauty -- it is the wellspring of Christian faith. More acts of kindness have been done in his name and more words of forgiveness spoken with his love than any other in the entire history of mankind. He is the author of our salvation. He is the source of the good news of the gospel. He is our hope in our season of desperation, our guide in the wilderness of life through which we walk, our source of comfort and consolation in seasons of distress, and our assurance of the eternity of the soul of man....
"This is a season of rejoicing, a season of peace, a season of love that is felt anew around much of this weary world. It is a season when we like to hear of kind deeds and are motivated to perform them....
"In this spirit of Christmas, let us resolve to do a little more, to open our purses along with our hearts to help those in need, to reach out to the lonely and distressed, and to comfort those who walk in sorrow.
"He came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly. This is the testimony last of all which we give of him, that he lives. Yes, he lives. The everlasting Son of the living God lives in the hearts of men and women who open their souls with generosity and love. He is our Redeemer and our Savior."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, First Presidency Christmas Devotional, Dec 1989; see Ensign, Feb. 1990, p. 75)
~ Christmas Serving ~
"This is Christmas, when we sing and speak of the great gift of God our Eternal Father who gave His Son to become the Redeemer of all mankind. It is a time when we meditate reverently upon the matchless gift of that Son, who gave His life to save the world. It is a time, too, when we reflect on how we might best honor Him....
"Of all times, it is Christmas when we must surely realize that there can be no true worship of Him who is the Christ without giving of ourselves.
"At this season let us, each one, reach out a little more generously in the spirit of the Christ. It is not enough to give toys and baubles. It is not enough to give alms to those in need. That is important, yes. But it is also important that we give of ourselves with our alms.
“May the real meaning of Christmas distill into our hearts, that we may realize that our lives, given us by God our Father, are really not our own, but are to be used in the service of others.
"President Spencer W. Kimball, who was such a great example of this principle, once said to me, 'I feel that my life is like my shoes -- to be worn out in service to others.'
"God bless each of you at this Christmas season, that it may be a time of joy, a time of gladness, but more importantly, a season of consecration." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Gift of Self," Tambuli, Dec. 1986 p. 2ff) "Christmas is more than trees and twinkling lights, more than toys and gifts and baubles of a hundred varieties. It is love. It is the love of the Son of God for all mankind. It reaches out beyond our power to comprehend. It is magnificent and beautiful."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Season for Gratitude" Ensign, Dec. 1997)
~ The Christmas Child ~
"Of all the children born into this world, none other has come with so rich a birthright as Jesus, for He was the Only Begotten of the Eternal Father in the flesh.
"Of all men who have walked the earth, no other has lived so perfect a life as this the man of miracles, who testified that He is 'the way, the truth, and the life' (John 14:6).
"Of all the victories in human history, none is so great, none so universal in its effect, none so everlasting in its consequences as the victory of the crucified Lord, who came forth in the Resurrection that first Easter morning.
"I have seen statues and paintings of the great men and women of history, many hundreds of them. But great and important as are all of these heroes of the past, none can compare with the victory of the lonely, pain-wracked figure on Calvary's cross who triumphed over death and brought the gift of eternal life to all mankind. . . .
"Of all things of heaven and earth of which we bear testimony, none is so important as our witness that Jesus, the Christmas child, condescended to come to earth from the realms of His Eternal Father, here to work among men as healer and teacher, our Great Exemplar. And further, and most important, He suffered on Calvary's cross as an atoning sacrifice for all mankind.
"At this time of Christmas, this season when gifts are given, let us not forget that God gave His Son, and His Son gave His life, that each of us might have the gift of eternal life."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Son of God," Ensign, Dec 92, 2, 6)
~ The Meaning of Christmas ~
"Although he healed the sick, raised the dead, caused the lame to walk and the blind to see, there is no miracle comparable to the miracle of Christ himself. . . .
"I ask anew the question offered by Pilate two thousand years ago, 'What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?' (Matt. 27:22.) Indeed, we need continually to ask ourselves, What shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ? What shall we do with his teachings, and how can we make them an inseparable part of our lives? In light of these questions, at this season we ask another: What does Christmas really mean? May I suggest some things that it should mean?
"Christmas means giving. The Father gave his Son, and the Son gave his life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship. There is more to Christmas than neckties, earrings, toys, and all the tinseled stuff of which we make so much.
"I recall an experience I heard at a stake conference in Idaho. A farm family in the community had just contracted for the installation of an additional and much-needed room on their home. Three or four days later the father came to the building supply dealer and said, 'Will it be all right with you if we cancel the contract? The bishop talked with John about a mission last night. We will need to set this room aside for a while.' The building supply dealer responded, 'Your son will go on his mission, and he will find the needed room when he returns.' Here was the spirit of Christmas--a family sending a boy into the world to teach the gospel, and friends coming to help the family with their problems. What then, indeed, shall we do with Jesus who is called Christ?
"Christmas means giving--and 'the gift without the giver is bare.' Giving of self; giving of substance; giving of heart and mind and strength in assisting those in need and in spreading the cause of His eternal truth – these are of the very essence of the true spirit of Christmas." (Gordon B. Hinckley, "What Shall I Do Then with Jesus Which Is Called Christ?" Ensign, Dec. 1983, 3)
~ Living the Golden Rule ~
"Some time ago I received, without solicitation, a letter whose writer has given permission for me to share it:
" 'Dear President Hinckley:
" 'An hour ago I had a very special experience that led me to writing this letter. I was walking on my way home and a sudden feeling came over me that somewhere there is a young man who, except for money, qualifies to serve a mission for the Lord, and that I was to provide him with the necessary funds to serve a mission. I don't have any idea who and where this young man is, but the feeling came over me that you would know, and I was to put the funds into your hands and see to it that he serves his mission. That left me in tears. I arrived home and asked my wife how she felt after I had told her of the experience that I had just had. [She], of course, consented.
" 'I am enclosing a check for $3,000 but the figure that came to my mind was $4,000. This is all the money that is available to us at present, but on January 27, we will send in another check for $1,000. I am still in my training as a physician. I have to work extra hours to earn a living for my wife and three daughters, and we do not have money for a down payment on a house. We have been trying for five years to save for a house, and the Lord has blessed us beyond measure.
" 'Three years ago, a similar feeling came over me, but as we thought about it we felt that the Lord was giving us a signal to be prepared to put at the altar what he requires of us. We decided then that once I am through with my training we will support as many missionaries as our finances will allow us. Tonight there was no doubt that the Lord has asked us to put that money on the altar.
" 'I am a convert to the Church, . . . and my wife was born under the sacred covenant. I left my home in Beirut thirteen years ago. Since age eleven I dreamed of finding the true religion, and fifteen years later I found it. . . .
" 'When I came to America, . . . I was given no hope in gaining acceptance into a medical school simply because I was not a United States citizen. A voice within me whispered that I would be a physician one day.
"I have attended one of the best schools in the country on a scholarship. I then went [to another medical school] for a reason totally unknown to me then. . . . A year later I was miraculously led to Church literature and joined the Church. Nine months later I met my wife and we were married in the temple three months after we had met.
" 'As you see, I owe the Lord more than $4,000! He has given me my eyes, my hands to work and earn a living. . . .
" 'We . . . leave the money in your hands to [use] according to the inspiration of the Lord vested in you. . . . We love all those who labor in this great cause.
" 'May God bless us all in our service to him!
" 'Sincerely yours.'
"He then signs his and his wife's names.
"That letter, better than any feeble words of mine, breathes the spirit of Christmas, exemplifies the Golden Rule, and speaks with eloquence of the love of him who gave his life as a sacrifice for all. . . .
"The world truly would be a different place if each of us frequently and seriously considered our Lord's request: 'Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.' (Matt. 7:12.)
"At this Christmastime, when we celebrate the birth of the Son of God, our teacher, our king, our Savior, our Redeemer, the resurrected living Son of the living God, let us sincerely seek to do good unto those around us.
"God bless us during this glad season with an increase of love, a decrease of selfishness, a greater desire to be helpful to those in distress, and an enlarged sense of service." (Gordon B. Hinckley, " 'Do Ye Even So to Them,' " Ensign, Dec. 1991, 4-5)
“What a glorious and wonderful season of year this is. Our hearts change. Our attitudes change. Our way of thinking changes. There is a little more forgiveness in us. A little more of kindness. A little more of love. A little more of patience. A little more of understanding at the Christmas season of the year. What a glorious thing it is that at least once in twelve months we can become a little better than we have been during the remainder of the year. Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son, and thanks be to His Son for the gift of His life. How grateful we are at this Christmas season.” - Gordon B. Hinckley
"Christmas means ‘giving,’ and the gift without the giver is bare. Give of yourselves; give of your substance; give of your heart and mind. …
"Christmas means ‘compassion and love’ and, most of all ‘forgiveness’ … How poor indeed would be our lives without the influence of His teachings and His matchless example. …
"He whose birth we commemorate this season is more than the symbol of a holiday. He is the Son of God, … the Redeemer of mankind, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace."
--Gordon B. Hinckley, as quoted in "Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful: An Advent Calendar," New Era, Dec. 199

Howard W. Hunter
~ Christmas Service ~
"Never did the Savior give in expectation of receiving. He gave freely and lovingly, and his gifts were of inestimable value. He gave eyes to the blind, ears to the deaf, and legs to the lame; cleanliness to the unclean, wholeness to the infirm, and breath to the lifeless. His gifts were opportunity to the downtrodden, freedom to the oppressed, forgiveness to the repentant, hope to the despairing, and light in the darkness. He gave us his love, his service, his life. And most important, he gave us and all mortals resurrection, salvation, and eternal life....
"This Christmas, mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again. Christmas is a celebration, and there is no celebration that compares with the realization of its true meaning -- with the sudden stirring of the heart that has extended itself unselfishly in the things that matter most (see McCalls Magazine, Dec. 1959, pp. 82-83).
"A life filled with unselfish service will also be filled with peace that surpasses under-standing. This peace can come only through living the principles of the gospel. These principles constitute the program of the Prince of Peace, who is also the Prince of Glory and the Prince of Eternal Progress."
(Howard W Hunter, First Presidency Christmas Devotional, December 4, 1994; see Ensign, Feb, 1995, p. 77)
~ the Christmas Spirit ~
“If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your knees -- alone or with loved ones -- give thanks for the good things that have come to you, and ask that his Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive to serve him and keep his commandments. He will take you by the hand and his promises will be kept.”
(Howard W. Hunter, "The Deeper Meaning of Christmas," BYU Devotional, 5 Dec 1972 aee also Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, p. 271)

Spencer W. Kimball
~ the Power of Christmas ~
"Christmas comes once a year to reveal to us the beautiful and near approach man can make to the divine, to the ideal, to the Christlike life.
"Once a year on this day we raise the flag of truce. All men are friends. We are our 'brother's keeper.' It comes so clearly to us that all mean well, that their greetings are sincere. We lift high the open hand of fellowship. There is no race, no color, no rich or poor, no bond or free. Christmas comes to remind us of the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. It comes to show us the real progress we would make, could all our days be unselfish, friendly, helpful, and clear of bitterness and strife."
(Spencer W. Kimball, St. Joseph Stake Primary, 12/16/34; see TTSWK, p. 247)
"Even though events and circumstances in the world at times become discouraging, our task, not alone in the Christmas season but always, is to be of good cheer. The Lord so often counsels us to have cheerfulness in our lives." (Spencer W. Kimball, "A Gift of Gratitude" "Tambuli," Dec. 1977)

Neal A. Maxwell
~ Eternal Christmas Gifts ~ "God’s gifts, unlike seasonal gifts, are eternal and unperishable, constituting a continuing Christmas which is never over! These infinite gifts are made possible by the 'infinite atonement.' ...
"He before whom a few gifts were laid in that lowly manger has spread so many gifts before us, thereby providing an unending Christmas. In fact, from Him for whom there was no room at the inn there comes to the faithful so many blessings 'that there shall not be room enough to receive [them]'! (Malachi 3:10.)"
Neal A Maxwell, “Christmas Scene," Bookcraft, 1994, pp. 4, 5)

Bruce R. McConkie
~ Christmas Testimony ~
"Now I think because of this revelation (Alma 7:9-10) and a host of related ones that have come to us, telling us in plainness and in perfection what is involved in the doctrine of our Lord's birth, I think we have an especial and particular obligation to stand as witnesses to the world in this day of the truth of this fact. We happen to live in a very perilous, treacherous era of the earth's history -- an era when iniquity abounds, when the love that men should have for God has waxed cold in the hearts of people generally. We live in the great era of darkness, spiritual darkness and apostasy, that is to precede the second coming of the Son of Man. But in the midst of this darkness, God has restored for the last time on earth the fulness of his everlasting gospel. He has called us out of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ. He has given us the revelations of heaven, given us an understanding of what is involved in the plan of salvation -- given it by latter-day revelations so that we do not need to rely on tradition and history or even on the biblical accounts....
"So I say, we have an obligation to testify of Christ, to have in our hearts at this season and at all times the spirit that goes with him and his work. I for one desire that spirit and in some measure have it, and as a consequence I bear witness to you, as we approach the Christmas season, that God has, in fact, restored his everlasting gospel, that the truths of heaven and the truths of salvation are here, that there are legal administrators on earth at this hour who have the power to bind on earth and have it sealed eternally in the heavens. The work of God is here. The plan of salvation has, in fact, been revealed. We know the doctrine of the Divine Sonship. We have the obligation accordingly, because of the light and knowledge that has been poured out upon us, to walk as becometh saints, to rise above the world, to overcome the world, to be living witnesses of the truth and the divinity of the work. Just as surely as we are, we shall reap for ourselves peace and joy and happiness in this life. We shall have the true spirit of Christmas at this season and at all seasons, and then in due course we shall go on to the fulness of the kingdom of our Father hereafter."
(Bruce R. McConkie, "Behold the Condescension of God," from a devotional address at BYU, Dec 16, 1969; see New Era Dec. 1984)

David O. McKay
"Good old St. Nicholas or 'Santa Claus,' as the American first christened him, was a real person who lived in Russia about the time that old Diocletian was persecuting the early Christians. It is probable that St. Nicholas was imprisoned by this cruel emperor.
"St. Nicholas had the true spirit of Christmas and went about giving comfort to the people and making children happy. He gave gifts but concealed the identity of the giver. It is a glorious thing to have old St. Nicholas in our hearts and in our homes today, whether he enters the latter through the open door or creeps down the chimney on Christmas eve. To bring happiness to others without seeking personal honor or praise by publishing it is a most commendable virtue....
"Good old St. Nicholas has long since gone the way of all mortals, but the joy he experienced in doing kindly deeds is now shared by millions who are learning that true happiness comes only by making others happy -- the practical application of the Savior's doctrine of losing one's life to gain it. In short, the Christmas spirit is the Christ spirit, that makes our hearts glow in brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service.
"It is the spirit of the gospel of Jesus Christ, obedience to which will bring 'peace on earth,' because it means -- good will toward all men."
(David O. McKay, MS 85:808-809 (1923); see also Gospel Ideals pp.550-551)

Thomas S. Monson
“There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ. It is the time to love the Lord, our God, with all our heart -- and our neighbors as ourselves. It is well to remember that he who gives money gives much; he who gives time gives more; but he who gives of himself gives all. Let this be a description of our Christmas gifts, I pray humbly, in the name of Jesus Christ ...” (Thomas W. Monson, Christmas Devotional, Dec. 6, 1999)
"With the birth of the babe in Bethlehem, there emerged a great endowment, a power stronger than weapons, a wealth more lasting than the coins of Caesar. This child was to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Promised Messiah, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the kingdom of God. During His earthly ministry, He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life.
"One sentence from the book of Acts speaks volumes: Jesus 'went about doing good ... for God was with him' (Acts 10:38)."
(Thomas S. Monson, "They Showed the Way," GC, April 1997;see Ensign, May 1997, p. 52)
"This is a glorious time of the year, simple in origin, deep in meaning, beautiful in tradition and custom, rich in memories, and charitable in spirit. It has an attraction to which our hearts are readily drawn. This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our mind, feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas."
(Thomas S. Monson, "What Is Christmas?" Ensign, Dec. 1998)
~ The Christmas Spirit ~
"The true Christmas spirit is never found in a surfeit of things. It is less obvious in arrival and more lasting in impact.
"An unknown author wrote:
'I am the Christmas Spirit.
I enter the home of poverty, causing pale-faced children to open their eyes wide in pleased wonder.
I cause the miser's clutched hand to relax and thus paint a bright spot on his soul.
I cause the aged to renew their youth and to laugh in the glad old way.
I keep romance alive in the heart of childhood and brighten sleep with dreams woven of magic.
I cause eager feet to climb dark stairways with filled baskets, leaving behind them hearts amazed at the goodness of the world.
I cause the prodigal to pause a moment on his wild, wasteful way, and send to anxious love some little token that releases glad tears--tears which wash away the hard lines of sorrow.
I enter dark prison cells, reminding scarred manhood of what might have been, and pointing forward to good days yet to come.
I come softly into the still, white home of pain; and lips that are too weak to speak just tremble in silent, eloquent gratitude.
In a thousand ways I cause the weary world to look up into the face of God, and for a little moment forget the things that are small and wretched.
I am the Christmas Spirit.'
"This is the spirit each true Christian seeks. This is the spirit I pray each may find. This is the Christ spirit. No quest is so universal, no undertaking so richly rewarding, no effort so ennobling, no purpose so divine. The Christmas season seems to prompt anew that yearning, that seeking to emulate the Savior of the world. . . .
"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always. We shall learn to forget ourselves. We shall turn our thoughts to the greater benefit of others."
(Thomas S. Monson, "In Search of the Christmas Spirit," Ensign, Dec. 1987, 4-5)
~ The Spirit of Giving ~
"'What did you get for Christmas?' This is the universal question among children for days following that most celebrated holiday of the year. A small girl might reply, 'I received a doll, a new dress, and a fun game.' A boy might respond, 'I received a pocketknife, a train, and a truck with lights.' Newly acquired possessions are displayed and admired as Christmas day dawns, then departs.
"The gifts so acquired are fleeting. Dolls break, dresses wear out, and fun games become boring. Pocket knives are lost, trains do nothing but go in circles, and trucks are abandoned when the batteries that power them dim and die.
"If we change but one word in our Christmas question, the outcome is vastly different. 'What did you give for Christmas?' prompts stimulating thought and causes tender feelings to well up and memory's fires to glow ever brighter.
"Giving, not getting, brings to full bloom the Christmas spirit. Enemies are forgiven, friends remembered, and God obeyed. The spirit of Christmas illuminates the picture window of the soul, and we look out upon the world's busy life and become more interested in people than things. To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the Spirit of Christ.
"What can I give Him, Poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd I would bring a lamb.
If I were a Wise Man I would do my part,
Yet what can I give Him? Give my heart." - Christina Georgina Rossetti
(Thomas S. Monson, "Christmas Gifts, Christmas Blessings," Ensign, Dec. 1995, 2)
~ Service ~
“In this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, our opportunities to give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are also perishable. There are hearts to gladden. There are kind words to say. There are gifts to be given. There are deeds to be done. There are souls to be saved. . . .
"Fortunately, the privilege to render service to others can come to each of us. If we but look, we, too, will see a bright, particular star which will guide us to our opportunity.
"One who saw such a star and followed it was Boyd Hatch of Salt Lake City, Utah. Deprived of the use of his legs, faced with a lifetime in a wheelchair, . . . Brother Hatch looked not inward, but rather outward into the lives of others and upward into God's own heaven; and the star of inspiration guided him not to one opportunity, but to literally hundreds. He organized Scout troops of handicapped boys. He taught them camping. He taught them swimming. He taught them basketball. He taught them faith. Some boys were downhearted and filled with self-pity and despair. To them he handed the torch of hope. Before them was his own personal example of struggle and accomplishment. With a courage which we shall never fully know or understand, these boys of many faiths overcame insurmountable odds and found themselves anew. Through it all, Boyd Hatch not only found joy, but by willingly and unselfishly giving of himself, he found Jesus."
(Thomas S. Monson, "The Search for Jesus," Ensign, Dec. 1990, 5)
~ Christmas Gifts ~
"The shepherds were abiding in the fields and the angel of the Lord appeared to them, announcing: 'Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy. . For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord' (Luke 2:10-11).
"The shepherds with haste went to the manger to pay honor to Christ the Lord. Later, wise men journeyed from the East to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. . . . When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh' (Matt. 2:2, 10-11).
"Since that time, the spirit of giving gifts has been present in the mind of each Christian as he or she commemorates the Christmas season. Our Heavenly Father gave to us His Son, Jesus Christ. That precious Son gave to us His life, the Atonement, and victory over the grave.
"What will you and I give for Christmas this year? Let us in our lives give to our Lord and Savior the gift of gratitude by living His teachings and following in His footsteps. It was said of Him that He 'went about doing good' (Acts 10:38). As we do likewise, the Christmas spirit will be ours.." (Thomas S. Monson, "What Is Christmas?" Ensign, Dec. 1998, 4-5)
"As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always."
--Thomas S. Monson, “In Search of the Christmas Spirit,” Ensign, Dec. 1987, 3

Boyd K. Packer
~ the Spirit of Christmas ~
“I want to emphasize that I have no quarrel with that well-fed gentleman with the red suit and the white whiskers. He was very generous to me when I was a boy, and we are looking forward with great anticipation to his visit at our home next Monday night. The tree is there, the holly wreath, the stockings hung along the fireplace mantle -- it is a very long mantle. I know of few things on this earth quite so celestial as the face of a little youngster, happy, hopeful, and believing, with Christmas almost here. All of those things with reference to Christmas are appropriate and good and all of them are for children -- except, I suppose, the mistletoe.
"If you would understand what you get in exchange for giving up the childish illusion concerning Christmas, you could look forward to the greatest of all discoveries. If you could just know that at your age you can find and can have that 'little-kid' feeling again about Christmas.
“If you understand Christmas at all, you will find that in exchange for Christmas past comes the most supernal of all gifts. If you want to know a good beginning point, I suggest you start in the second chapter of Luke... (read Luke 2:1-19).
"The Christmas story in the second chapter of Luke takes, I suppose, a minute and a half to read. It might take a minute more to ponder on it. Yet how infrequently, how remarkably infrequently does that find its way into the family festivities at Christmas time.
"The Christmas story does not end there. It is only the beginning. If we can accept as adults a new childhood status with reference to our God, then we will begin to humble ourselves and begin to believe, and so begin to see. In exchange for the fanciful poetry of The Night Before Christmas comes the miracle that grows in every season.
"The whole account -- from Bethlehem to Calvary -- is the Christmas story, and it takes simple, childlike, almost naive faith to know it....
"Of all times of the year, Latter-day Saints at Christmas time ought to be the most joyful, ought to have greater cause for festivity than anyone, ought to enjoy the Christmas tree and the holly wreath, and the stockings and the mistletoe, and all that goes with Christmas more than any else in the world because they KNOW what Christmas really is."
(Boyd K. Packer,"Keeping Christmas", BYU Devotional, Dec. 19, 1962)

L. Tom Perry
~ A "Sunshine" Christmas ~
"Many years ago I found myself as part of occupation troops in a foreign land just
at the end of a terrible war. It was not long after we arrived in this country before we developed a great love and concern for the people we were there to watch over. This was especially true of the young people, the children. Many times we would find them scavenging in our garbage cans looking for food to keep themselves alive. This deeply touched us, and we wanted to make a more substantial contribution to them. We raised what money we could and found a local religious group that was willing to open an orphanage for them. We donated as much time as possible
to improve the facilities and provided them with the operating funds they needed.
"As Christmas approached, we sent letters home to our families asking that, instead of sending gifts to us, they send toys for the children in the orphanage. The response of our families was overwhelming! Toys arrived daily from our homes.
"We found a tree suitable to use as a Christmas tree, but we had no traditional decorations for it. A lady taught us how to make little birds by folding square pieces of paper, and these became the major part of the decorations for the tree. The presents were wrapped mostly in discarded Stars and Stripes newspapers. I'll never forget Christmas Eve with those children. I am sure many of them had never seen a Christmas tree in their lives.
"We sang Christmas carols to them, but we weren't very good at this. They had been rehearsing for weeks so they could sing a song to us in English. It was not a Christmas carol, but it was beautiful. They sang, 'You Are My
Sunshine.' We were deeply touched with the spirit of the children that Christmas Eve, especially as they opened the presents sent from our families. I suppose some of them had not had a toy in many, many years.
"This is a Christmas I'll never forget because we were learning the true meaning of this great holiday season. The greatest joy we can receive in life is giving--to bring into the life of someone else a little joy and happiness."
(L. Tom Perry, "A 'Sunshine' Christmas," Tambuli, Dec. 1990, 12)

Mark E. Peterson
"Christmas gifts? There were none at that time. The Wise Men came later with their offerings. But God now gave His gift to the world -- that of His Only Begotten Son. And this divine Son by His very birth on earth gave Himself as the greatest Gift of all time. He would provide the plan for our salvation. He would give His life that we might rise from the grave and have a happy life in the eternities, forever. Who could give more? What a gift this was! Think what it means to us! We can learn patience, devotion, and faithfulness such as Mary had. And like her Son we can follow the true gospel principles, being in the world but not of the world.
(Mark E. Peterson, "The Gifts of Christmas," New Era, Dec. 1983, p. 4)

Hugh W. Pinnock
"I firmly believe that the only way to make Christmas real is to imitate the Master. We need to form living links with people everywhere whose loneliness needs brothering or sistering, whose hurts, physical and emotional, need healing, whose poverty cries out for bread and understanding. Jesus spent his life rescuing us all from ourselves. Shouldn’t we rescue others from loneliness and discouragement?"
(Hugh W. Pinnock, "Who Needs Christmas?" New Era, Dec’87)

N. Eldon Tanner
"I humbly pray that each and every one of us will realize just who we are and what sacrifice Jesus made for us. And as we go on through life, let us live each day so that we may be worthy of that great sacrifice which he made. May we have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May the full meaning of the spirit of Christmas go with us throughout the year..."
(N. Eldon Tanner,"Our Greatest Gift--To Be about Our Father’s Business," Tambuli, Dec. 1980, p. 5)

John A. Widtsoe
~ Christmas Gifts ~
"Christmas gifts should be in memory of the divine gift, the life of Jesus Christ. His gift gave us eternal life: our gifts should enliven with joy those who receive. His gift was the sacrifice of His earthly life: our gifts should represent personal sacrifices on our part
"It is easy to give to our own, those whom we love. Their gladness becomes our joy. We are not quite so ready to give to others. even if they are in need, for their happiness does not seem so necessary to our happiness. It appears yet more difficult to give to the Lord, for we are prone to believe that He must give and ask nothing in return.
‘How can we give to the Lord? What shall we give to Him? Every kind word to our own, every help given them, is a gift to God. Every gentle deed to our neighbor, every kindness to the poor and suffering, is a gift to the Lord, before whom all mankind are equal.
"We have foolishly reversed the proper order. Our first gift at Christmas should be to the Lord; next to the friend or stranger by our gate; then, surcharged with the effulgence from such giving, we would enhance the value of
our gifts to our very own. A selfish gift leaves a scar upon the soul, and it is but half a gift.
“Would it not be well this Christmas to give first to the Lord, directly through obedience, sacrifice, and love, and then to give to Him indirectly through gifts to friends and those in need as well as to our own? Should we do this, perhaps many of us would discover a new Christmas joy.”
(John A. Widtsoe, Quoted in Ensign, December 1972, p. 4)
"The desire and the effort to give to the Lord, born of the surrender of man to the plan of salvation, stamp every Christmas gift with genuine value. They who identify themselves with the plan, who do not resist it, who earnestly seek to tread the path of the plan, are true givers to the Lord, and their gifts to men come with the flavor of heaven. The Lord and his plan must have place in our Christmas celebration."
(John A. Widtsoe, "The Gifts of Christmas" "Ensign," Dec. 1972)
"We have sung the carol "Joy to the world, the Lord is come," as well we should (Hymns, 1985, no. 201). In our premortal state we shouted for joy as the plan of salvation was unfolded to our view (see Job 38:7). It was there our elder brother Jesus, the firstborn in the spirit of our Father's children, volunteered to redeem us from our sins. He became our foreordained Savior, the Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world" (Moses 7:47).
(John A. Widtsoe,"Keeping Christ in Christmas," Christmas Devotional, SLC, Utah, 1 Dec 1985)

First Presidency Message:
Christmas Remembrances of the First Presidency
President Spencer W. Kimball
Christmas is one of the happiest and most memorable times of any year. As we prepare for the holiday, our thoughts carry us beyond that night in Bethlehem, and we think of the glorious gift our Father in heaven gave to us by sending His Son to earth almost 2,000 years ago.
As the members of the First Presidency think of Christmases with families and friends, they remember, too, the mission of Jesus Christ and the gift of His life for each of us. Now at this Christmastime of 1976, they wish to share some of their memories and thoughts with boys and girls throughout the world.
It is Christmastime and again my thoughts turn to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and to the first Christmas.
It was a dream come true for Sister Kimball and me to be in Bethlehem one Christmas Eve some years ago. December 24 was a beautiful Sunday there and early that morning we held a sacrament meeting in Baghdad, Iraq, with a family in whose home we were guests. Afterward we flew to Damascus in Syria and then went on to Jerusalem. People from many lands were gathered there on that sacred night, waiting to be taken over the twelve-mile winding hill road to Bethlehem.
Arriving in Jerusalem, we found the square so crowded with people that it was easy for our thoughts to go back to that first Christmas when Joseph and Mary were told “there was no room for them in the inn.”
To add to the confusion of the milling throng, Christmas carols blared out from a sound truck, and bells rang from the cupolas of the Church of the Nativity that had been built back in the fourth century. The church is built on the square over a grotto that many believe to be the true site of the manger where the Christ Child was born.
A low door and narrow steps lead into the grotto. With difficulty we made our way there. It was lighted by many candles and hung with rich drapes. With the eager crowd, we tried to meditate and relive, in contemplation, the story of that most important of all births.
Afterward we were fortunate to find a taxi to take us about two miles down the hillside to the Shepherd Fields where at last we found a quiet peace on that crisp, clear night. There were only four of us there on the hillside where the shepherds had been watching their flocks on that first Christmas Eve.
The moon shone with unusual brilliance, and the sky was studded with stars. In imagination, we could almost hear the “multitude of heavenly hosts praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’ “
We looked up the hill to the twinkling lights of Bethlehem and felt impressed to softly sing,
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie. ……
How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human heartsThe blessings of His heaven.
Afterward I offered a prayer of thanksgiving for the privilege of that Bethlehem Christmas and for my knowledge of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. My heart was filled with joy to know that He marked for us the plan, the way of life, whereby if we are faithful we may someday see Him and express our gratitude personally for His perfect life and His sacrifice for us.
~~~~~~~
President N. Eldon Tanner ~
As I reflect on the Christmases of my boyhood, I remember that we were poor. And with eight children to provide for, our parents did well to furnish us with food and clothing. Our gifts were mostly homemade and not too numerous, but we had lots of fun. A great deal of love was exchanged by word and deed, thanks to our noble parents.
The most important gift we received——although we may not have realized it then——was a true understanding of the oft-repeated story about the birth of our Lord and Savior. That knowledge and testimony has been the basis for every Christmas observance I have participated in since my youth. Through the years all of my own children and grandchildren who can gather in their own little family groups, wherever they may be, reenact the story of the Baby Jesus and emphasize the importance of this event and its effect on the lives of all mankind.
Perhaps I was influenced too——as have been countless thousands of others——by the words of Charles Dickens as he penned that immortal classic, A Christmas Carol. We recall the habitual response of “Bah! Humbug!” that Ebenezer Scrooge gave to any Christmas greeting. On one such occasion his cheerful nephew replied: “I have always thought of Christmastime …… as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time …… and I say, God bless it!”
Then you will remember Scrooge’s dream when the Ghost of Christmas Past appeared and said to him: “I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, …… and of my own free will I wore it.”
Thus Scrooge was reminded of his own neglect of his fellowmen and his heart began to soften. By the time of the appearance of the Ghost of Christmas Present, he was able to say, “Tonight, if you have aught to teach me, let me profit by it.”
Then when the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come appeared, Scrooge said: “I am prepared to bear you company, …… with a thankful heart.”
As he was shown the sad fates of some he had failed to help and foresaw his own lonely death, he pleaded, “Assure me that I yet may change …… [and] I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year.”
He was overjoyed when he awakened and found that he was still alive and had time to make amends, which he promptly set about to do.
May we live so that we will have no regrets for Christmases past. May our present Christmases be filled with the joy that comes from keeping the commandments that our Lord and Savior came to teach. May we continue to look forward with expectation for happier Christmases to come because we have shared our blessings with others. And may it be said of us, as it was ever after of Scrooge, that “he knew how to keep Christmas well.”
~~~~~~~
President Marion G. Romney
Christmas for young people today is quite different than Christmas was for me more than sixty years ago. For example, there is a great difference in the way we get Christmas trees. When I was a boy we used to go out onto the sidehills and cut the trees. I remember once my brother and I dragged a Christmas tree off the hill and when we got home there was only one side of it left. We had to stand it up in the corner so the bare side wouldn’t show.
We used to make all of our own decorations. We’d take tissue paper and cut it into strips and paste it together to make chains. And we’d pop corn and then string it to make garlands with which to decorate the tree.
We’d always have a special dinner on Christmas.
My uncle, Gaskill Romney, operated a planing mill and a sash and door factory. He had a lathe on which he would turn out baseball bats for Christmas presents for the boys, and we used to make our own little cabinets for the girls. Our toys were not as sophisticated as they are now.
But Christmas was always a happy time. To us it was the day the Savior was born.
~~~~~~~
Our dear young friends, remember that He whose birthday we celebrate was the Son of God, the Eternal Father and the Redeemer of the world. May this Christmastime be a glorious and happy time for each of you.
With love and joyous Christmas wishes,
The First Presidency
Spencer W. Kimball
N. Eldon Tanner
Marion G. Romney
“Christmas Remembrances of the First Presidency,” Friend, Dec. 1976, 2