A Christmas Star

Russell M. Nelson, president (and prophet) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

President Nelson's Facebook post today:

Tonight, December 21, is the winter solstice, regarded in many traditions as the darkest and longest night of the year. How fitting that astronomers and scientists are predicting tonight’s appearance of a “Christmas star,” formed by the great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, a rare event not seen in nearly 400 years.
While we don’t need to ascribe any special meaning to the actual phenomenon, tonight’s Christmas star will undoubtedly draw our minds and hearts to the original star that appeared in the heavens to mark the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. For the shepherds in Judea, for the Wise Men, and for the believers in the New World, the star brought more than mere physical light—it brought hope.
My dear friends, as we near the end of a challenging year, one that may feel to many as a time of uncertainty and darkness, let us never forget that the light of hope still shines brightly. Jesus Christ is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. As we turn our hearts to Him, He will pour out His love for us in unmeasured ways. I wish you all a very merry and hope-filled Christmas season. #LightTheWorld

Be a Blessing to Someone

 

 

"This young man approached me and asked me to buy him a gallon of milk. My first thought was to say no but as I was paying for my gas I grabbed the milk. Outside was his girlfriend holding a box of cereal. He thanked me and I started to walk to my car. Something in me made me turn around. I told them I was about to get a car wash but if he wanted to wash it for me I’d pay him $20. We went to the nearest car wash and he had tears in his eyes after I paid him!

He told me that more than anything he appreciated me giving him the opportunity to be a man again in the eyes of his girlfriend and work for the money. The whole time his girlfriend helped him. It’s like she was proud of him. You could tell the love was so real. Real beyond material things and what he could do for her. She told him he did a great job and he couldn’t stop smiling. I had a long talk with him and her and he had a backpack full of paperwork from all of the places he’s been going to get help for them. I drove them to my apartment complex and gave him clothes for interviews and a few outfits and fitted caps. I don’t have much but life is about sharing what you do have.

Be a blessing to someone today because you could be in that situation before you know it! I gave them my number and I plan to take them to any interviews or appointments they have. It’s a great day to be alive no matter what your situation is. Someone has it worse than you! Share this message and inspire others to do good.”

Credit: Ariane Nelson (Story from 2019)

Love Like Jesus Christ

Christmas lights at Temple Square in Salt Lake City-2018

Henry B. Eyring's Christmas message:

I feel the spirit of Christmas as I read the Savior’s words. I feel the light, the optimism, and the witness that come from the influence of the Holy Ghost whenever I remember, ponder about, and strive to emulate the Savior of the World.

For us to have the spirit of Christmas, we must not only read of Him but act on what we learn. We must try to love as He loved.

He made no distinction between the poor and rich, the young or old, the healthy or infirm. He did not shun those of different faiths or those of different cultural backgrounds. He loved everyone. He loves everyone. And He has commanded us to “love one another,” as He has loved us (John 15:12).

I promise that as you ask Heavenly Father in faith and in the name of Jesus Christ and seek Him in your scripture study this season, the Spirit will bring feelings of peace to you and your loved ones this Christmas and always.

I'm sorry I don't know the artist for this portrayal of Joseph and Mary on the way to Bethlehem.

Be HIS HANDS

 

 (posted on Facebook by Jenine Murin)

President Spencer W. Kimball taught, "God does notice us, he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is VITAL that we serve each other in the kingdom."

As we emulate our Savior and remember how he served, how he used HIS HANDS to bless and serve others, we in turn can return this invaluable gift to Him, by doing likewise. We can be HIS HANDS in this mortal sphere; ours are His only feet. "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17).

To illustrate this principle and gift, I want to share the story of "The Towel." We were given this gift by our neighbor (a beautiful towel with this message) this Christmas Season.

"At first glance, it is easy to look at a towel as a most ordinary object. Have you ever stopped to think that for thousands of years, the towel has been used for many wonderful purposes? For example, the mother who wipes the tears of a child, the physician who binds the wounds of a patient, or the woman in her home wiping her hands as she moves from task to task.

Perhaps the MOST significant use of the towel happened nearly two thousand years ago when our Savior, only hours before He hung on the cross, took an ordinary towel in HIS LOVING HANDS and dried the feet of His disciples. This simple, loving act personifies the selflessness and loving service we should seek to give during our lives. It shows that an ordinary thing like a towel, in the RIGHT HANDS, and with a giving heart, can lighten another's load.

As with every action performed by the Savior on this earth, His act of service reminds us that simple day-to-day kindness is the Savior's way to bless and comfort."

Robert D. Hales said, "In the Lord's service the path is not easy. It often requires sacrifices, and we will likely experience adversity. But in serving Him, we discover that HIS HAND is truly over us."

 

Jesus Christ--The LAMB

 

                                                        Artist, Del Parson-The Lost Lamb

Notice the symbolism in many nativity paintings.  This one is "I Am a Child," bu Simon Dewey

Another idea for the 7-day Nativity Tradition that I like better than the other one is THE LAMB.

Jesus' birth occured in humble circumstances among the animals. There, the LAMB of God was born during Passover Season among the animals being prepared for the paschal sacrifice.

Then, before His work was done on earth, Jesus would be brought as a LAMB to the slaughter. He was both the LAMB and the shepherd.

The LAMB reminds us to prepare our hearts to recognize the hand of the Lord in our life, and then, in that instant, to GIVE THANKS.

Our gift of a grateful heart shows our appreciation to a generous Savior. Then, as President Henry B. Eyring said, "If you do that long enough and with faith, you will find yourself remembering blessings. And sometimes you will have gifts brought to your mind which you failed to notice during the day, but which you will then know were a touch of God's hand in your life."

In offering this gift to the Savior, we must be sure to show our love by counting our blessings -- and then, in His name, by making our blessings count.

Ten Symbols of Christmas With Scripture References

 

Ten Symbols of Christmas

By Charlotte Larcabal and Eric B. Murdock, Church Magazines, Photographs by Getty Images

The Holy Night, by Carl Bloch

Lights. Trees. Stars. Bells. Ever wonder what all these Christmas symbols might mean?

With all the hype of the holidays, you’re sure to see Christmas decorations everywhere. It’s a huge part of celebrating Christmas! But have you ever thought about how some of those traditional decorations can help us get in touch with the true spirit of the season? If we look at them in the right way, we can allow them to help us remember Jesus Christ in our Christmas celebrations as Christians have done for centuries.

The Star

                                                   

It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting on top of Christmas trees. The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. Five years before Jesus was born, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the signs of the Savior’s birth, including the appearance of a bright new star (see Helaman 14:5). The star led the Wise Men to Jesus (see Matthew 2:2) and reminds us to follow the light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the light of the star to find Him.

Lights and Candles

It’s hard to go anywhere during Christmas without seeing stars hanging from street lamps or sitting on top of Christmas trees. The star is one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday. It represents the star that appeared in the sky when Jesus Christ was born. Five years before Jesus was born, Samuel the Lamanite prophesied of the signs of the Savior’s birth, including the appearance of a bright new star (see Helaman 14:5). The star led the Wise Men to Jesus (see Matthew 2:2) and reminds us to follow the light of the Savior just as the Wise Men followed the light of the star to find Him.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “Many of our memorable and enduring Christmas traditions include different kinds of lights—lights on trees, lights in and on our homes, candles on our tables. May the beautiful lights of every holiday season remind us of Him who is the source of all light.”1 Christmas lights can remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World. They can also remind us to be lights to others and to help others come unto Christ.

For centuries, candles have brought brightness and warmth to the season. Candles can also represent the light of the star that appeared at the birth of the Savior, and like other lights, remind us that He is the Light of the World. Did you know candles were often used to decorate Christmas trees before electric lights were invented?

Trees

       

Even before Christ’s birth, trees that stayed green all year long carried special meaning for people. A green, thriving tree in the dead of winter reminded people of hope and new life. Because of Jesus Christ, we can have everlasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13), so we can choose to see the evergreen tree as a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.

Poinsettias

The poinsettia originates from Mexico, and like the evergreen tree, it is a plant that thrives during the winter and symbolizes new life. But it doesn’t stop there! Their shape resembles a star, like the one that led the Wise Men to Jesus. Red poinsettias can remind us of the blood that Christ spilled for us. Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Having bled at every pore, how red [Christ’s] raiment must have been in Gethsemane, how crimson that cloak!”2 white poinsettias can symbolize His purity (see Moroni 7:48).

Holly

Because its red berries and prickly green leaves last all year round, holly is used as a Christmas decoration all over the world. The sharp edges of the holly leaf can remind us of the crown of thorns placed on the Savior’s head (see Matthew 27:29). The red holly berry can remind us of His blood shed for all of us. Christians have long seen these symbols. In fact, in some Scandinavian languages, the word for holly is “Christ-thorn.”

Wreaths

Traditionally, wreaths are made of evergreens such as pine branches or holly. Their circular shape can represent eternity (see D&C 35:1). Wreaths hung on doors or in windows are like a symbolic invitation for the spirit of Christmas to fill our homes with the joy of the season.

Bells

                                        

For centuries, bells have been rung to announce the arrival of the Christmas season. They cansymbolize the announcement of the birth of Christ when angels in heaven praised God and declared, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14).

Candy Canes

Perhaps a better name for the candy cane is “candy crook.” They can remind us of the staffs carried by the shepherds who visited the baby Jesus. During Christ’s time, a shepherd’s staff often had a crook, or bend, at the top that was used to hook sheep by the neck to gently lead them to food or water or to protect them from harm. As you enjoy a candy cane, remember that Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd (see John 10:11, 14). If we choose to follow Him, He will gently lead us to safety and peace.

Stockings

If you think about it, it’s a bit strange for someone to put goodies in your old sock. But like many Christmas traditions, the tradition of Christmas stockings comes from an old legend. A long time ago (so the story goes), a poor man had three daughters and couldn’t afford to give them a dowry (money or goods given to the groom’s family by the bride’s family). In those days, it was very hard for a woman to get married without a dowry. A Christian bishop named Nicholas heard about the problem and wanted to help, but the man refused to accept money. One night, Nicholas threw three balls made of pure gold in through the open window of the man’s house. Each one landed in a stocking hung by the fire to dry. The next morning, each daughter found a gold ball in her stocking. With this bounty, they were all able to get married. Stockings can remind us of the importance of service. The greatest example of service is Jesus Christ. He always “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Take some time to think about the Savior’s selfless acts of service. How can you give Christlike service and show kindness to others?

Gifts

Christmas is the season of giving.Remember the Wise Men who came to see Jesus? They “presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11), but the greatest gift of all came from our Heavenly Father: “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). As you open your brightly wrapped presents on Christmas morning, remember that the Savior is the true gift of Christmas.

Day Seven of 7-Day Nativity Tradition-BABY JESUS

  by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler, adapted from LDS Living's "Christ-Centered Christmas Celebration" video series

Day 7:  Baby Jesus

                                        
The 7- day Nativity Tradition is based on the book by Emily Belle Freeman and David Butler,designed by Ryan Jeppesen. The full, colorful resin Nativity set is available at                    DeseretBook.com

 EBF: There are a lot of traditions we’ve talked about, but we just need to make sure that we don’t miss the baby. That is how Christmas began. It began with God’s greatest gift that came to the world wrapped up in swaddling clothes. And the question is, at this special time of year, what will you do because of that great gift?

Invitation

DB: This is the invitation for day number seven, and it is to give the gift of your heart to Him. Especially after you’ve realized that He gave the gift of His heart to us.

Tradition Idea: Get a card for every member of your family and write down a gift to give to Jesus Christ this year. Each year you can review and ponder the gifts from the past and choose a new one. The Christ child reminds us to offer a gift to the Lord this Christmas season, a gift based on the true “work of Christmas,” one that will allow us to focus on Christ all year long. We love the idea of the “work of Christmas” found in a poem by Howard Thurman—that Christmas actually began when the shepherds went home, when the star was gone, and when the angels went back up into the heavens. That’s when the work of Christmas begins, and it’s going to go forward throughout this whole year.

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DB: This is such a beautiful time of year to remember how good God has been to us and to just try in some small way to return our love to Him because of how much He’s shown toward us. We just want to wish you a merry, merry Christmas and hope that the Spirit of Christ fills your home and heart throughout the rest of the year