My family has a very strong tradition of enjoying the annual LDS First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional held the evening of the first Sunday in December. Perhaps this is because my father has been a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir since 2001, and often has tickets for us to attend live (One such year he hooked me up with tickets to take my wife on our first date on December 3, 2006. If that isn't proof that this devotional is amazing, then I'm not sure what is!). Another strong factor enabling us to keep this tradition is greatly due to the amazing spirit and content of the event.
My small family and I moved to Arizona in June of 2013, and at the time I was only thinking about the exciting prospect of this new journey with my wife and our 2-year old daughter; making new traditions. I wasn't thinking about the disruption to our current traditions. My siblings have also been taken to other parts of the world. Since then we have not been able to attend the Devotional live, and certainly not all together. However, the wonderful miracle of technology has allowed my family to enjoy the sweet spirit of Christmas, with pure untarnished focus on our Savior, Jesus Christ, as a family despite living in Utah, Arizona, Mississippi, or Japan.
I wish for you to watch this Devotional yourself, and fully stimulate your soul the way our Prophet and Apostles intended. I encourage you take a portion of your evening and enjoy the slow, calm spirit that is Christmas. For this intent, I have attached the link for you to access the event below. If your schedule makes this challenging, I have written a few brief highlights from some of my favorite messages, along with some thoughts. This, too, hopefully will allow you to feel the spirit of Christ, but I make no claim to be able to replicate what is offered through the spoken word and through empowering song. Please enjoy, and marvel in the amazement of a Redeemer, who came to this earthly world for us that we might be saved and return to live with him again. Peace be unto you and your family at this most special time of year.
Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President
The Atonement is often recognized during times when you realize how “fragile life was”. President Burton carried faith and a testimony of Jesus Christ during a period of treatment for cancer. I have been reminded of a time in my life (not that I could ever forget) when I was truly fragile, living a life of doubt, darkness, and poor judgment. I faced forces of a physical, emotional, and psychological nature. Despite my righteous and loving parents, I still found myself in dark, uncharted terrain. There are many ways out of the Adversary’s chains, but only the Atonement of Jesus Christ can totally free us, giving us an opportunity for salvation and eternal life. President Burton shared the lyrics to the children’s song “He Sent His Son”: Never have these words felt so marvelous:
How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
What does he ask? Live like his Son.
What a impressionable reminder this is at Christmas time--to increase our acuity for our Savior’s love, and what our Heavenly Father has asked us to do in response to His Son’s sacrifice for all mankind. Live like his Son.
David A. Bednar, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
From the Book of Mormon we have added account of ancient prophets, many of which prophesied of Jesus Christ. The Lamanite prophet, Samuel, gave a description of the 3 days of darkness the day of Christ’s crucifixion 38 years before the event. He prophesied of torment, fear, and confusion. Followed by light. Upon Christ’s resurrection, he in the temple introduced himself as “the Light”. Christ is the light we so need to find our way home to our Father in Heaven. It is only through the direction, leadership, example, and counsel of Jesus Christ that we are able to negotiate the windy path. Lights on the tree and candles on the table should remind us of this Light in our life; our great Redeemer, Jesus Christ. What a priceless symbol we so widely see during this time. Let us think of our Brother, Jesus Christ, with every Christmas light we see. I cannot wait to take my kids to “Storybook Lane” and “Candy Cane Lane” for Family Home Evening tomorrow night to see all the lights!
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency
The treasured festive songs Joy to the World and Good Will Toward Men are inspired by the Spirit of Christ. Generosity of the Savior can be overshadowed by shopping in crowds. There are many wonderful reasons to enjoy this season, but there is so much more. Acknowledge and offer heart-felt gratitude to “the Generous One”. “Have we ever felt unbounded thankfulness”? Will we remember our God, our Shephard, the Gift Giver? Why do we give gifts during this time, willingly and joyfully I might add? Jesus Christ received gifts upon his arrival as a newborn babe. From that moment on, he freely gave without reservation, judgment, malice, or spite. Jesus Christ has granted us the greatest gift ever to be given--He frees us of a past of slavery and selfishness. With this freedom, “...all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” -Doctrine and Covenants 76:51-60.
How much I love my Savior. May we all remember His sacrifice, and to never make a decision that suggests his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and his subsequent death, which served to redeem us all from sin, is insufficient. May your families be blessed, and the Spirit of Christ dwell in your homes all year long.
Merry Christmas!
Submitted by: Nate Blackhurst
