LDS Place

“What does Christmas really mean?” Christmas means “giving.” The Father gave His Son and the Son gave His life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, and without sacrifice there is no true worship. There is more to this day than neckties, cuff links, engagement rings, and all the tinselled stuff of which we make so much. Let me repeat something that I heard the other day at a stake conference in Idaho. A member of the stake presidency told it. He runs a building supply business. A farm family in that community had contacted for the installation of a bathroom in their home. They had never had one before. Then the father came to the building supply dealer and said, “Will it be all right with you if we cancel that contract? The bishop talked with John about a mission last night, and so we will go outside for another two years.” Then the building supply man said, “The young man will go on his mission, and he will find a bathroom in the house when he returns.” Here is the spirit of Christmas—the family which sends a boy into the world to teach the gospel, and friends who come to lift the family out of their problems. What then shall you do with Jesus which is called Christ? Christmas means “giving,” and the gift without the giver is bare. Give of yourselves; give of your substance; give of your heart and mind and strength to bring to pass His eternal purposes and to spread the cause of His eternal truth.—

Gordon B. Hinckley, BYU Speeches, December 14, 1960