What Is the Source of the Christmas Spirit?

In searching for material that would be appropriate for Christmas, I found President Dallin H. Oak’s remarks given at the First Presidency Devotional held on December 8, 2024. His message is particularly appropriate and fitting for this Christmas message. 

Christmas reminds us to think of one another…. The spirit of Christmas brings out the best in us.

The warmth and light of Christmas is the Light of Christ. As we read in modern scriptures, the Savior is “the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” All who celebrate the birth of Christ—all who have what we call the “Spirit of Christmas”—have a portion of that light.

Over a billion people will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ during this Christmas season. The whole world should do so. Even in worldly terms, Jesus of Nazareth is the most important person who ever lived. He is the principal subject of prophets and poets for over 6,000 years. He is the subject of the world’s greatest music and art. He is the greatest teacher who ever lived. Most important, He is the Only Begotten Son of God the Eternal Father. He is the God to whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that He is our Creator and Redeemer, the Savior and God of this world.

“Peace, goodwill toward men” is the message of Christmas. It is the dominant theme of the poets and musicians who have given us the glorious music of Christmas….

From the time of our childhood, each of us has known that Christmas is a time of gift-giving among families and friends. It is a time of special kindness to those we love. But the spirit of Christmas giving should extend beyond our circle of family and friends….

So, Christmas is a time to extend ourselves beyond our normal ties of love and friendship. “Peace, goodwill toward men” is not just a message for those for whom we already have feelings of love and affection, such as fellow citizens of our Church or nation, residents of our hometown or neighborhood, or people of common culture. The heavenly hosts proclaimed goodwill to all men—to casual friends, to strangers, even to enemies. Christmas is a time to remember that we are all children of a Father in Heaven, who gave His Only Begotten Son that all would be redeemed from death. Our Father in Heaven has also offered the blessings of salvation and exaltation to all mankind on the same conditions: faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ; repentance; baptism; and compliance with the laws and ordinances of the gospel.

The Spirit of Christmas encourages us to use this season to step across barriers and promote understanding and love with people of all races, creeds, and national origins….

We should teach our children to be kind and considerate of everyone….

The spirit with which we should receive the message of “peace, goodwill toward men” is the spirit of giving ourselves in service to others. Just as Christmas celebrates the birth of Him who gave His life for all of us, so each of us should use Christmas as a time for improving the ways we give to our fellow men.

As we do so—as the giving spirit of Christmas permeates our thoughts and our actions—we will each be making our own contribution to the eternal goal of “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” …

You can watch the entire First Presidency Devotional here. 

First Gift of Christmas

                    The first gift of Christmas is love.  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).  The feeling that we identify as the "Christmas Spirit" is actually God's love for his children or the Spirit of Christ.

                    A modern-day prophet, even President Thomas S. Monson, discussed how we can rediscover the spirit of Christmas and suggested five "gifts" that we could render to God or to others.  He suggested that our first gift should be the "gift of obedience" and keeping all God's commandments.  The second gift should be the "gift of selflessness" and giving of ourselves (a smile, a word of kindness, or a helping hand) to others.  The third gift should be the "gift of unselfishness" instead of thinking of own needs and wants.  The fourth gift should be the "gift of sharing" freely all that we have.  The fifth gift is the "gift of peace" instead of quarrels and contention to those around us.  "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."

                    President Monson shared the following words of "one who had keen insight into the Christmas spirit."

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 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.

I am the Christmas Spirit.

(E.C. Baird, "Christmas Spirit," in James S. Hewitt, ed., Illustrations Unlimited (1988), 81)

                    President Monson has the Christmas Spirit all year long as he goes about doing good deeds and sharing cheerful and uplifting words.  In another article President Monson shared a story a news article written by Ray Jenkins entitled "The Quiet Drama at Gate 67" (The New York Times, Dec. 25, 1979, 23).  The experience actually took place in December 1970 in Atlanta, Georgia.  Travelers were "hoping to fly to New Orleans, Dallas, and other points west," but bad weather was causing flight delays.  The would-be passengers - all except "a man in a finely-tailored gray flannel suit" - were exhibiting signs of frayed nerves.  Suddenly a young man - about 19 years old and wearing a military uniform - approached the desk and indicated that he needed to get "make this flight" or "he might never again spend Christmas at home."  This experience took place during the Vietnam War, and the young man's unit was scheduled to be sent to Vietnam.  The agent listened compassionately but gave no promises.

                    The flight was announced, and the seats were all taken.  The young solder was frantic.  Then the businessman stepped forward.  "I have a confirmed ticket," he quietly told the agent.  "I'd like to give my seat to this young man."  The ticket agent "stared incredulously" at the businessman and then "motioned to the solder.  Unable to speak, tears streaming down his face, the boy in olive drab shook hands with the man in the gray flannel suit, who simply murmured, `Good luck.  Have a fine Christmas. Good luck.'"

                    The businessman then turned, picked up his briefcase, and headed to the all-night restaurant.  Even though there were thousands of people stranded in the Atlanta airport that night, only a few witnessed this example of "love and kindness between strangers" that "brought the spirit of Christmas into their hearts."

                    President Monson then offered the following counsel.  "My brothers and sisters, finding the real joy of the season comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done or in the purchasing of obligatory gifts.  Really, joy comes as we show the love and compassion inspired by the Savior of the world, who said, `Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:40).

                    "As we contemplate how we are going to spend our money to buy gifts let us plan also for how we will spend our time in order to help bring the true spirit of Christmas into the lives of others.

                    "The Savior gave freely to all.  And His gifts were of value beyond measure.  Throughout His ministry, He blessed the sick, restored sight to the blind, made the deaf to hear, and the halt and the lame to walk.  He gave cleanliness to the unclean.  He restored breath to the lifeless.  He gave hope to the despairing, and He sowed light in the darkness.

                    "He gave us His love, His service, and His life.

                    "What is the spirit we feel at Christmastime?  It is His spirit - the spirit of Christ."

                    I am grateful that the Christmas season follows the political season because it gives us the opportunity to "wash the bad taste of politics" from our souls that we may go forward in peace and love.  It is my hope and prayer that we may all enjoy the Spirit of Christmas and that we might have the true feeling of peace that comes only from God. 

                   

Christmas Spirit

The Spirit of Christmas comes into the hearts of mankind each December. It “is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things” (1 Nephi 11:22).

The spirit of love is available to all mankind throughout the year, but most of us feel it more abundantly at Christmas time. It causes our hearts to soften toward other people and makes us want to give of ourselves and our substance to bless the lives of others.

“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, Stand A Little Taller, 371).

Christmas also means the love of Heavenly Father to all His children: “For God so loved the world that He gave His Only Begotten Son….” (St. John 3:16). We have Christmas and the season of giving because Heavenly Father gave His Son, and Jesus Christ gave His life. Without Their gifts and sacrifices, there would be no Christmas. The Christmas spirit is the love of God to mankind. I encourage all of us to open our hearts wide in order to invite the Christmas spirit into our lives.

Keep The Christmas Spirit

One of my favorite Christmas stories is a story of how we can change our lives. This story is called A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. It was written nearly 200 years ago but is still relevant and popular today. The Christmas Carol is a story about a man named Ebeneezer Scrooge who was filled with hate. Even though he was still walking around, eating, sleeping, working, etc, his heart was stone cold and darkness filled his life. He didn't like anyone, not even himself. One night Ebeneezer Scrooge was visited by the ghost of his late partner. He noticed that Marley was dragging a heavy chain made of "cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds and heavy purses wrought in steel." Marley told Scrooge, "I wear the chain I forged in life. I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it." I wonder what my chain is made of and what is hanging from it. Scrooge questioned, "Why do spirits walk the earth?" Marley answered, "It is required of every man that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world … and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness." Scrooge stated that Marley "was always a good man of business." To this, Marley cried, "Mankind was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business." After the ghost of Marley departed, Scrooge was visited by three spirits. The first spirit referred to himself as the Ghost of Christmas Past. This spirit took Scrooge back through his childhood, youth, and young adulthood. He saw the kindness of his younger sister and the pretty young woman that he had once loved but lost because he was too interested in money. The second spirit referred to himself as the Ghost of Christmas Present. This spirit showed Scrooge the citizens of his area. They were living in less than pleasant circumstances but were happy. He saw people preparing to observe Christmas with faith, food, family and friends. Scrooge saw the family of Bob Cratchit, particularly crippled Tiny Tim. This family was very poor but happy and full of love. Bob worked for Scrooge, but Scrooge didn't pay him enough to support his family. Scrooge saw his nephew who was trying to be kind to Scrooge and include him in his life, but Scrooge thought his nephew wanted only his money and wouldn't have anything to do with him. The third spirit was the Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come. This spirit showed Scrooge as a dead man who was unloved and unmourned. It also showed the Cratchit family in a state of deep mourning for Tiny Tim. When Scrooge returned from the last visit, he realized that he was still alive and capable of changing his future. He became friendly with his nephew, raised the salary of Bob Cratchit and helped the struggling Cratchit family. He made mankind his business. He became a good friend, a good employer, and a good man. Christmas is a season when a peaceful, calm feeling of love is in the very air. It is a time when most of us are a little more tolerant of the bad behavior of other people and a little more helpful to the poor and needy. It is a time when we dig a little deeper in our pockets, wallets, and purses to purchase gifts for those we love and to help other people, even strangers, to have a happier Christmas. The spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. The feeling in the air is love. It is through the love of Christ for us that we have the ability to love other people. It is something that we can keep with us all the time. A favorite comic of mine is a Family Circus by Bill Keane. The picture is of a mother boxing up and putting away Christmas decorations and a little boy speaking to his mother: "Grandma says when we put away the Christmas things … we shouldn't put the Christmas Spirit away with them." I am still enjoying my Christmas decorations but have decided to put them away this week. I've decided to do something a little different this year. I will keep one of my many Nativity scenes out in the open to remind me to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive in my home. It will help me to remember that Jesus Christ is the reason that we celebrate Christmas and that it is possible to have His Spirit with us always. It will help me to remember Jesus Christ and the love that He has for each of us. I hope that it will help me to be more loving, kinder and more gentle to those around me.

Teach True Meaning of Christmas

Long years ago I received a handout with the following information. I hope that you will find it helpful in remembering and teaching the true meaning of Christmas. And Santa whispered, "Teach the children the true meaning of Christmas." The Star: A heavenly sign of prophecy fulfilled long, long ages ago - the shining hope of mankind. Red: The first color of Christmas - symbolizing the Savior's sacrifice for all. Fir Tree: Evergreen - the second color of Christmas - shows everlasting life. The needles point heavenward. The Bell: Rings out to guide lost sheep back to the fold - signifying that all are precious in the eyes of the Lord. The Candle: A mirror of starlight reflecting our thanks for the Star of Bethlehem. Gift Bow: Tied as we should all be tied together in bonds of goodwill forever. Candy Cane: The shepherd's crook used to bring lambs back into the fold - a reminder that all of us are our brother's keeper. The Wreath: A symbol of the never ending eternal nature of love - having no beginning and no end. Children are innocent and need to be taught truth by those who love them, but children are often the greatest teachers as shown in this video.