Season of Family Love

I spoke in church last week and thought I would post my talk. This subject gave me time to consider the reason for the season and I was filled with gratitude for my family for teaching me the true meaning of Christmas, but especially to my Savior and King. He was born, He live his life in service and teaching, He died for me and all mankind, and He lives again.

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Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “At the focal point of all human history, a point illuminated by a new star in the heavens revealed for just such a purpose, probably no other mortal watched – none but a poor young carpenter, a beautiful virgin mother, and silent stabled animals who had not the power to utter the sacredness they had seen. Shepherds would soon arrive and later, wise men from the East. Later yet the memory of that night would bring Santa Claus and Frosty and Rudolph – and all would be welcome. But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby – that’s how Christmas began.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Dec. 1977, 63-65).

My earliest memories of Christmas are not of Santa Claus, but of the sacred account of the Savior’s birth given in Luke. I attended an LDS based kindergarten when I was 4-5 years old. I had a big family and was the second to last of 7 kids and my mom was pregnant with her 8th child. That year our school was putting on a Christmas program and I was so excited because I had the biggest most important part of all…Luke 2:1-20. “And it came to pass in those days there went out a decree from Cesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed…” Well, I’m sure you’ve heard it. I had just turned 5 years old and I worked every day on memorizing all 20 verses. By the time the day of the pageant arrived (Dec. 14th), I was ready. I had every word down pat. Suddenly, my world was flipped upside down…my mom went into labor and my dad had to take her to the hospital. I couldn’t believe it…I was going to miss the whole pageant. I was devastated! As a 5 year old, I couldn’t understand how getting another kid was more important than seeing me perform in my Christmas Pageant. After all, they already had 7 of them.

A couple of days later, my parents came home with my baby sister. I honestly didn’t want much to do with her seeing as she was the whole reason I missed my pageant. But there was one thing I could look forward to…Christmas at grandma and grandpa’s house. We went every year. I loved everything about it…Talent show, Santa Claus and my favorite, the nativity. Little did I know that a new tradition would be started that year…I would get to recite my part after all but this time it would be with everyone I loved watching me. In my little 5 year old heart, I knew Jesus was watching me too…after all, I was telling His story. From that time forward up to this day, it is my job to tell His story. I don’t have it completely memorized still, but it will always be near to my heart and my favorite of all scripture passages. Looking back on that Christmas, I realize that the best gift of all was my wonderful family and especially my baby sister. It was only fitting that she come during that special time when I, in my earliest of recollections, discovered the true meaning of Christmas and that Christmas started with a family and a baby.

Throughout the rest of my childhood, I looked forward to Christmas more and more each year. It was never the presents but the fun that my family had being and serving together and remembering the true meaning of this special day. From my brothers plotting to catch Santa to the 12 days of Christmas for which we would secretly leave gifts at the doorstep of several families in our ward. Christmas is about families, and serving, and carrying the message of baby Jesus to those around us. It is about faith and hope that his life and atonement saved us all so that we could be together forever and return to his presence. It is about a king born in the most humblest of circumstances.

7 And she brought forth her afirstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the aglory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a asign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth bpeace, good will toward men.



I think it is pretty safe to say for many of us that we don’t remember the gifts we received over the years at Christmas time, but the feelings we had.

President Harold B. Lee has said that it is what our hearts tell us that we can believe, and we will remember what we feel.

Sister Elaine Cannon added, “The most memorable family experiences at Christmas will be those that touch the heart and enrich the spirit. What a family feels together will weld them in an eternal way.”

It is no wonder why my most vivid of childhood memories stem around this precious sacred time of year. Times with family and in the service of others. Things that have touched my heart and enriched my spirit. Lessons learned through the giving of gifts rather than receiving them. Lessons taught by loving parents and siblings and grandparents, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. Gifts we can give to our Savior as we celebrate his birth.

In a message given by President James E. Faust in Dec. 2001 he said, “Anciently the three Wise Men came from afar to bring gifts to the baby Jesus. Would it not be marvelous this Christmas if we could personally give gifts to the Savior? I believe this is possible to do.

Said Jesus:

“When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. …

“Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

“For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

“Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

“Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

“When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

“Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matt. 25:31, 34–40).

I pray that we might all have one of those Christmases which we will remember for a lifetime because of the way we felt by sharing time with our loved ones, or being of service to someone in great need or lifting the spirits of someone who is down trodden. These are the true gifts of Christmas. These are the gifts our Savior has taught us to give. It is his birth we celebrate.

“But first and forever there was just a little family, without toys or trees or tinsel. With a baby – that’s how Christmas began.” (Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, Dec. 1977, 63-65).






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Christmas and Candy Canes

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