The Beginning of Christmas

I went to the First Presidency Christmas devotional last night. It made us feel much closer to Christmas, and we judged that the only thing left to make us feel like Christmas was upon us was some snow, and mid-morning today big flakes started coming down in Provo.

My biggest reaction to the fireside was how deeply calm it was. The music was simple and somewhat quiet and moving. The First Presidency's talks were very sober, maybe partly in respect and remembrance of Elder Wirthlin's recent passing. These events at the Conference Center with the Tabernacle Choir and the organ playing at the Prophet speaking are consistently penetrating to me. I always sit there in this unbelievable euphoric self-aware feeling. These certain feeling that I feel when I listen to the Prophet and to the music at the Conference Center come often, but are in no way common.

Perhaps the most royal of the feelings of last night was the holiness of this time. So much of the traditions we remember at Christmastime are godly in nature. I would like to mention 3—The Birth of Jesus, family, and charity.

In the opening prayer, Elder Callister said, “We thank thee, Heavenly Father, that the beautiful Bethlehem story is true.” Later, President Uchtdorf talked about the way Jesus chose to enter into the world as the complete foreshadowing of the way he would choose to live his life—in perfect humility, requiring nothing for himself, always doing everything he could for others, a "model of modest nobility."

All my Christmas memories have to do integrally with my family. I like it for the same reason that I like Thanksgiving. Any opportunity to bring us together to the most important people for us in all the world and to gather us for a completely positive reason is wonderful.

President Uchtdorf also shared a wonderful quote from Elder Wirthlin, in part honoring the passing of a dear friend. He said “Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship.”

Before going to the broadcast I didn’t realize it was Christmas yet, and I certainly hadn’t adopted the idea to do what I can to make it holy, Christ-centered, family-centered, and focus on what I can do to make it special for other. I gained something from the Fireside, and I also really loved it.