Christmas thoughts

There is always some small flap at Christmastime about whether or not the Savior was born on the 25th of December. The anti-December folks can be fairly vehement in their condemnation of those of us who choose to celebrate his birth this month. Some of them suggest that we are so blinded by pagan tradition and crass commercialism that we cannot accept that the whole holiday is just a sham. Sad. They miss the point.



I have read with great interest on the Internet several learned treatises speculating about the date of Christ’s birth. They all postulate different dates based on nebulous evidence gleaned from whatever version of the Bible is currently favored by the authors, or based on various historians’ guesses. They all come to different conclusions. They all have different approaches taken to reach their conclusions. So we get dates like 20 May, 2 BC, 2 April, September, March, between 6 and 4 BC in the spring, in March of 6 BC, and on and on. Nearly every month of the year has been proposed for his birth. Even astrologers have attempted to date his birth using their charts.

But interestingly they all close with an acknowledgement that their conclusions are mostly speculation and no one knows for sure exactly when he was born.

Too bad. Any LDS teenager could tell them that he was born on April 6th. They know this because a prophet of the Lord stated definitively the date of his birth to be April 6th. They know this because the same prophet, The Prophet of the Restoration, Joseph Smith himself, stated that he organized the Church on the Savior’s birthday. No tradition or speculation involved. No guesswork or astrological projections needed. Just the Holy Spirit speaking directly to the Prophet. Pure and unsullied communication, untainted by the machinations and manipulations of men.

Again, interestingly, most of the folks who offer dates for the Savior’s birth also say that what really matters is that he was born, That He did live. In this, they are certainly correct. We have a beautiful tradition of giving more, loving more, being more, and serving more at this time of the year.

We love the traditions that accompany our celebration. We wait with great anticipation to see the light in the eyes of those to whom we give. Our joy is centered in the giving.

What a joy it is to see the shining faces of little children as they feel the magic of Christmas. Their joy is mostly centered in themselves, but that is as is should be, because I believe that we can better respond to the Savior’s admonition to serve others when we have experienced the joy that comes from being served. We cannot learn to center our joy in others until we have experienced that same feeling in ourselves. Empathy is powerful.

So we should not avoid the desire others have to serve us in various ways. Rather we should welcome their efforts to share the good things of the earth with us. There is a great tradition at this time of year of this kind of sharing. This year, people have brought us homemade fudge, caramels, cookies, brownies, a new calendar, fresh apple cider, and a clever gift of wrapping paper. We receive cards and letters from friends all over the country. We have given many bottles of Kathy’s grandmother’s green tomato relish to our friends, and loaves of banana bread to our home teachers because we hope to create the same feelings of love and happiness in others that we feel when we are remembered of others.

I have seen warehouses full of toys on TV, anonymously contributed and ready to be distributed to sweet children waiting in great anticipation. I have seen clothing and food and other necessities piled up and ready, all contributed because of a simple request for help for those less fortunate.

What President David O. McKay called “the Spirit of Christ” fills our hearts at this special time. So, in fact, whether the Savior was born on December 25th or April 6th, we can celebrate His Advent by embracing His teachings and living the gospel as His disciples all the year.

Remarkably, I think, many good people do live daily as disciples – they love and give and hope and support in ways that must be gratifying and pleasing to our Elder Brother.

I believe that every time we fail, He sorrows, but still beckons onward.

I believe that every time we repent and return to the path, He rejoices.

I believe that He knows our names, our needs, our strengths, and our weaknesses. I believe that even though we are tested and tried, through every trial He is always willing to keep His loving arms around us.

I believe that He gave us the greatest gift of all.

I believe that His grace is sufficient for us, after all we can do.

I believe that through the light of Christ there is goodness in every man and woman. There is strength and generosity. There is kindness and love.

So the point that the naysayers miss is this: I believe that even though our country seems to be on the brink of disaster at this Christmas season, this land choice above all others cannot fail as long as the wealth of goodness and love and belief in the Savior of the world is in the hearts of and demonstrated by so many Americans.

May the Lord bless each of you as abundantly as we have been blessed, both every day, and especially at this time of year.