Throughout his ministry, President Dallin H. Oaks has testified of Jesus Christ’s divine identity and role as the Savior of the world. Here are five profound principles the prophet has taught about celebrating Christ’s birth at Christmastime.
1. Share Kindness and Connection
“Christmas reminds us to think of one another. We appreciate our families more. We renew contacts with old friends. We rise above the barriers that separate us at other times of the year. Strangers exchange greetings without embarrassment. Kindliness and consideration make a comeback. The spirit of Christmas brings out the best in us” (“Celebrating Christmas,” 2024 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional).
2. Remember This When Christmas Feels Repetitious
“The most important things in life are repetitious. We never tire of hearing the sacred name of our Savior. We never tire of the companionship of loved ones. We never tire of hearing ‘I love you.’
“So it is that the repetitious message of Christmas is not a message to be revised, but a message to be renewed in our lives” (“Celebrating Christmas,” 2024 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional).
3. Nurture and Restore Relationships
“Christmas awakens in us a desire to extend ourselves beyond our normal ties of love and friendship. The heavenly proclamation ‘on earth peace, good will toward men’ was not limited to those for whom we already have feelings of love and affection. It directed goodwill to casual friends, to strangers, even to enemies. Christmas is also a time for forgiving, a time to heal old wounds and restore relationships that have gone awry” (“Good Tidings of Great Joy,” 2022 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional).
4. Cultivate Humility and Unity
“Christmas is a time to eliminate arrogance and provocation, to subdue criticism, to practice patience, and to de-emphasize differences among people” (“Good Tidings of Great Joy,” 2022 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional).
5. Receive the Greatest Gift Ever Given
“The gift that Christ gives is the greatest gift ever given, and it is available to each of us. That is the gift we should celebrate at this and every Christmas” (address to the Brigham Young University Management Society, given December 9, 2015).
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