Merry Christmas

"Christmas is not a day or a season, 

but a condition of heart and mind.  

If we love our neighbors as ourselves:

if in our riches we are poor in spirit and in our poverty we are rich in grace; 

if our charity vaunteth not itself, 

but suffereth long and is kind; 

if when our brother asks for a loaf, 

we give ourselves instead... 

then every day is Christ's day,

and Christmas is always near."

~James Wallingford~

“It is a desire to sacrifice for others, to render service, and to possess a feeling of universal brotherhood. It consists of a willingness to forget what you have done for others, and to remember only what others have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you, and think only of … your duties in the middle distance, and your chance to do good and aid your fellow-men in the foreground—to see that your fellow-men are just as good as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts—to close your book of grievances against the universe, and look about you for a place to sow a few seeds of happiness and go your way unobserved” [Improvement Era, Dec. 1919, 155].

 It has been said that Christmas is for children; but as the years of childhood fancy pass away and an understanding maturity takes their place, the simple teaching of the Savior that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) becomes a reality.

As Christmas Time comes to a close, ponder the true meaning, soak in the feelings of charity and love, consider all you are blessed with and go forward with love for all in the new year to come. 

Merry Christmas!