Christmas

Christians throughout the world celebrate Christmas on December 25th as an annual church festival and as the traditional day of our Savior's mortal birth. Modern scripture (Doctrine and Covenants 20:1) suggests, and many Mormons believe, that the Savior was born in the spring. However, they observe the Savior's birth when, more than at any other time of year, the world unites to remember this most sacred event and where it is evident the Savior's teachings of love, charity, self-sacrifice, and tolerance are put into practice.

Mormons believe that without Christ there would be no Christmas and without Christ there cannot be true happiness. This is the ideal time to ponder the true meaning of Christmas and to center attentions on the true doctrine of His birth as the Son of God, an event that allowed Him to work out the infinite and eternal atonement.

Christmas trees, stockings, gifts and greeting cards are believed to add to the beauty of the Christmas season. However, when such is too time consuming and expensive, it can detract from the spirit of Christmas. If left to the last minute, it can often relay rapidity and confusion to Christmas observance. Church leaders caution members that holiday shopping, decorating, and festivities should not be so all consuming that they forget or vaguely remember the reason for Christmas. Gifts should reflect the same spirit of love and concern, as did those of the Wise Men who presented the first gifts to the baby Jesus.

The Mormon Church encourages its members to draw their families close together, show concern for neighbors, renew old friendships and show acts of Christ-like love by giving, and celebrating the birth of our Savior.

To watch a video of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, December, 2007, click here.