First Presidency Christmas Greeting

“First Presidency Christmas Greeting 1985,” Tambuli, Dec. 1985, Inside Front Cover

To all people everywhere, we send our love and greetings during this holy season. As witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ we proclaim that He truly is the Savior of all. He whose birth the Christian world celebrates is indeed the Son of God, the Redeemer, the promised Messiah.

No message is more significant than the one He brought. No event is of greater importance than His atoning sacrifice and subsequent resurrection. And no mortal tongue can express sufficient thanks for all that Jesus has done for us.

We are aware that even during this happy season there are those who sorrow or are otherwise burdened. To such especially we extend our love and compassion.

To those who yearn for peace, we announce that it may be found with the Prince of Peace. Even in these tumultuous times the individual who turns to Christ can find the inner peace that surpasses understanding.

To those who mourn we speak comfort. Know that your Savior is well acquainted with grief. He who notes the sparrow’s fall is aware of you and desires to comfort and bless you. Turn to Him and lay your burden at His feet.

To those burdened and sorrowing with guilt, we offer hope. Your Redeemer loves you with a perfect love. He died to pay for the sins of all who truly repent and follow the course He prescribed. “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow” He promised. (Isa. 1:18.) Accept the healing of spirit that He alone can give.

To those who are lonely, we extend the hand of friendship and fellowship. We invite you to become one with us in worship and in the service of the Master.

Finally, we encourage those who recognize the Lord’s blessings and great mercy in their lives to reach out and bless the lives of others. By so doing, you can go beyond the mere custom and ritual of the season. You can become instruments through which the Lord blesses the poor, the lonely, the despairing. You will have a greater sense of the reality of the Savior’s existence. And your celebration of his birth will indeed be joyous.

First Presidency Christmas Message,” Tambuli, Dec. 1984, 1

To the people of all nations we extend our love and greetings this holy season. We proclaim that the babe born in Bethlehem nearly two thousand years ago was indeed the Christ, the Savior of all mankind. In him all humankind, past, present, and future, have hope. In him can be found the personal peace that eludes so much of the world.

The events that began in Bethlehem and ended in Jerusalem are the focal point of all history. The humble birth we commemorate was prelude to the awesome events of Gethsemane and Calvary, and Christmas takes on its deepest meaning when we recall that the ministry that began in a stable ended with an empty tomb.

The proper celebration of Christmas is a joyous expression of thanks to God for the marvelous gift of his Only Begotten Son. The season’s hymns and carols are a continuing echo of the angelic anthems heard by the shepherds.

We join with Nephi, the prophet of old, in proclaiming that “we rejoice in Christ.” (2 Ne. 25:26.) The righteous of ancient times looked forward to His coming with faith and hope. We look back on his mortal ministry with humble gratitude. And we, too, look forward with hope and faith to the time when He shall return again.

We pray that all may seek the peace that is to be found in Christ; that all may look beyond the merchandising and socializing to the One whose birth we celebrate. Among the many lands where Christmas is celebrated, there are a great variety of holiday traditions. We would encourage a tradition of worshiping the Savior through loving service to fellowmen. May the kindness, forgiveness, and personal righteousness demonstrated by the Savior be manifest in the lives of countless people throughout the world. For, just as Bethlehem’s bright star guided the Wise Men to the Savior, Christlike lives today can be a bright beacon to the many who do not yet know of their Redeemer.

Gospel topic: Christmas

A Message from the First Presidency to the Children of the World: The Gift of Christmas “The Gift of Christmas,” Friend, Dec. 1986, 3

Christmas is a happy time of year because we celebrate and honor the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

While on the earth, Jesus lived a perfect life and set a perfect example for all of us to follow. He also made it possible for us to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father when we leave this life. He is our Savior and our Redeemer.

Jesus taught us to love one another. He told us to love our neighbors as ourselves, to do unto others as we would want them to do to us, and to pray for and do good to everyone.

Jesus showed special love for children. On one occasion He directed His disciples to let the children come to Him, “for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:14).

Giving gifts has been a meaningful tradition ever since that first Christmas. The birth of Jesus Christ was a divine gift to all mankind. Shortly after He was born, Wise Men came from afar bringing gifts for the Christ Child.

Christmas gifts do not need to be purchased in stores. We can use our own special talents to make gifts for our families and friends, or we can offer gifts of service to others. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). One of the most important gifts we can give this Christmas season is to do what He has asked of us.

We love children everywhere. We pray that each of you will have great joy this Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Heavenly Father’s gift to us.

“Peace on Earth,” Friend, Dec. 1998, 3

Throughout this wonderful Christmas season, we often hear the words “Peace on earth,” which is a reminder to us of the message delivered by the heavenly hosts to the humble shepherds at the time of our Savior’s birth in Bethlehem (see Luke 2:13-14).

The great message of peace which the angels proclaimed that night so long ago is the message which we declare at this Christmas season. “Peace on earth” can come to each of us because of Jesus Christ and His love for each of us.

Peace comes to us as we follow our Savior by being kind to others, obeying parents, praying each day, reading the scriptures, and trying to be more like Jesus in thought, word, and deed.

And as the Savior calmed the “great storm” on the Sea of Galilee with the words “Peace, be still” (see Mark 4:37-39), so He will calm our hearts and give us peace as we trust in Him and do what He has asked us to do.

At this Christmastime, we bear testimony of Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. We testify that through Him we may have the peace which was declared at His birth. May His peace be in your hearts and in your homes this Christmas.

With love,
The First Presidency

A Christmas Message from the First Presidency to the Children of the World: “Peace on Earth”