"If you desire to find the true spirit of Christmas and
partake of the sweetness of it, let me make this suggestion to you. During the
hurry of the festive occasion of this Christmas season, find time to turn your
heart to God. Perhaps in the quiet hours, and in a quiet place, and on your
knees -- alone or with loved ones --give thanks for the good things that have
come to you, and ask that his Spirit might dwell in you as you earnestly strive
to serve him and keep his commandments. He will take you by the hand and his
promises will be kept." Pres. Howard W. Hunter
“The formula for
finding Jesus has always been and ever will be the same—the earnest and sincere
prayer of a humble and pure heart. The prophet Jeremiah counseled, “Ye shall
seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” (Jer. 29:13.) Pres. Monson
"The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ
into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force. The real spirit of
Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master....” President Howard W.
Hunter
“Before we can successfully undertake a personal search for
Jesus, we must first prepare time for him in our lives and room for him in our
hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for golf, time for
shopping, time for work, time for play—but no time for Christ. Lovely homes dot the land and provide rooms
for eating, rooms for sleeping, playrooms, sewing rooms, television rooms, but
no room for Christ. We remember, “And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.” No room.
Ever has it been.” Pres. Monson
“And now, my beloved brothers and sisters, what must we do
this Christmas season—and always? Why, we must do the same as the Wise Men of
old. They sought out the Christ and found Him. And so must we. Those who are
wise still seek Him today.” --Ezra Taft
Benson
“Christmas is a time for remembering the Son of God and
renewing our determination to take upon us His name. It is a time to reassess
our lives and examine our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Let this be a time
of remembrance, of gratitude, and a time of forgiveness. Let it be a time to
ponder the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its meaning for each of us personally.
Let it especially be a time of renewal and recommitment to live by the word of
God and to obey His commandments. By doing this, we honor Him far more than we
ever could with lights, gifts, or parties.” Pres. Uchtdorf
“My first Christmas away from home was as a missionary. For
such an uneventful Christmas—clearly the least festive of any I ever had before
or since—it says something that those special days remain in my heart (after
more than 50 years!) as one of the sweetest Christmases I have ever had. I
think that is because for the first time in my life, I found myself
understanding Christmas rather than just enjoying it. I think for the first
time in any truly significant way, I was getting the message of Christ’s birth
and life—His message and His mission and His sacrifice for others.” Elder
Holland
“While the Christmas season is typically a time for looking
back and celebrating the birth of our Lord, it seems to me that it should also
be a time of looking to the future. Let us look forward. Let us prepare for
that blessed day when He will come again. Let us be as wise as those ancients
who watched for His coming. As His disciples, let us have in our hearts and
minds the words of John: “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” President Uchtdorf
“And when we find him, will we be prepared as were the wise
men of old to provide gifts from our many treasures? They presented gold,
frankincense, and myrrh. These are not the gifts Jesus asks of us. From the
treasure of our hearts Jesus asks that we give of ourselves: “Behold, the Lord
requireth the heart and a willing mind.” (D&C 64:34.) President Monson
“It is quite in line to find at the season of the Messiah’s
birth, which was springtime that flocks were in the field both night and day
under the watchful care of their keepers.
Unto certain of these humble shepherds came the first proclamation that
the Savior had been born. The trustful and unsophisticated keepers of sheep had
not asked for sign or confirmation; their faith was in unison with the heavenly
communication. They waited not, but went
in haste, for in their hearts they believed, yea, more than believed, they knew.”
James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment