Rediscovering the Christmas Spirit
President Thomas
S. Monson – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Years ago as a young elder, I was called with others to a
hospital in Salt Lake City to provide blessings for sick children. Upon
entering, we noted a Christmas tree with its bright and friendly lights and saw
carefully wrapped packages beneath its outstretched limbs. We then went through
corridors where small boys and girls—some with plaster casts upon an arm or
leg, others with ailments that perhaps could not be cured so readily—greeted us
with smiling faces.
A young, desperately ill small boy called out to me, “What is
your name?”
I told him my name, and he inquired, “Will you give me a
blessing?”
The blessing was provided, and as we turned to leave his
bedside, he said, “Thank you very much.”
We walked a few steps, and then I heard him call, “Oh, Brother
Monson, merry Christmas to you.” Then a great smile flashed across his
countenance.
That boy had the spirit of Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is
something I hope all of us would have in our hearts and lives—not only at this
particular season but also throughout the year.
When we have the spirit of Christmas, we remember Him whose
birth we commemorate at this season of the year: “For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ
the Lord” (Luke
2:11).
In our day the spirit of giving gifts plays a large role in
commemorating the Christmas season. I wonder if we might profit by asking
ourselves, What gifts would the Lord have me give
to Him or to others at this precious season of the year?
May I suggest that our Heavenly Father would want each of us to
render to Him and to His Son the gift of obedience. I also feel that He would
ask us to give of ourselves and not be selfish or greedy or quarrelsome, as His
precious Son suggests in the Book of Mormon:
“Verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of
contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who … stirreth up the hearts of
men to contend with anger, one with another.
“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men
with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things
should be done away” (3 Nephi
11:29–30).
In this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, our
opportunities to love and give of ourselves are indeed limitless, but they are
also perishable. Today there are hearts to gladden, kind words to say, deeds to
be done, and souls to be saved.
One who had keen insight into the Christmas spirit wrote:
I am the Christmas Spirit—
I enter the home of poverty, causing palefaced 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 old
glad 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 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 be.
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.
May we each discover anew the Christmas spirit—even the Spirit
of Christ.
Teaching
from This Message
As you share President Monson’s message with the family,
consider emphasizing the question he posed about what gifts the Lord would have
us give to Him or to others this season. Encourage family members to record
their thoughts and ideas (or, for young children, to draw a picture) about how
to “discover anew the Christmas spirit—even the Spirit of Christ.”
Youth
The
Perfect Christmas Eve
By Jerie S. Jacobs
10412_000_003
When I was growing up, one of the highlights of every year was
Christmas Eve. My family
and I made pizza, went caroling, and then gathered for a Christmas devotional.
We sang hymns in shaky four-part harmony and blasted out carols on our odd
assortment of musical instruments. Dad always ended the evening with a
Christmas thought that left us in happy tears. Life didn’t get any better than
Christmas Eve.
When I was a little older, my mom began taking care of a young
neighbor, Kelly. Kelly came over to our house every day after school while her
mom, Patty, worked. Kelly followed me around like a puppy—loud and needy. It
was always a relief when Patty collected her daughter and left my home and
family in peace.
One December, I was horrified when mom invited Patty and Kelly
to join us for Christmas Eve. My Christmas Eve.
Mom smiled and assured me, “It won’t change a thing.” But I knew better. They
would eat all our pizza. Kelly would make fun of our singing. I resigned myself
to the worst Christmas Eve ever.
When the evening came, Patty and Kelly joined us, and we talked
and laughed and sang. My mother was right. It was
perfect. At midnight they thanked us and reluctantly parted. I went to bed with
a full heart. I discovered that the truly precious gifts of Christmas are not
diminished when shared. Instead they sweeten and multiply when we give them
away.
Children
Five
Christmas Gifts
10412_000_004
President Monson said that we might want to think about which
gifts the Lord would want us to give to Him or to others
Circle the five
children in the picture who are serving others. How are their actions gifts to
Jesus?
“A Time
of the Year”
cji
12/01/12
Is it
but only one day to remind
or are
there many days to tell
so many
have daily needs
lonely
and sick or afraid
thus we’ve
hair to braid
as a
child with us pleads
creating
this sacred spell
a time
of year to be kind!
Yet we
need harken to hear
a Prophet’s
voice calling us
to
rediscover and remember
each day
not only December
being
obedient is a plus
each day
in blessings dear!
Copyright © 2012 – cji
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