A Christmas Message from the First Presidency to the Children of the World:
“Follow Me”

At this holy season, when we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, we extend our love and special greetings to children everywhere. We bear witness that Jesus of Nazareth, born of Mary on a joyful night long ago, is the Savior of all mankind. We pray for the peace that only He can give.

For nearly 2,000 years Jesus Christ has been an inspiration to countless millions. The Christmas spirit is the Spirit of Christ. It makes our hearts glow with brotherly love and friendship and prompts us to kind deeds of service. Love for God our Father, for Jesus Christ, and for one another should be the Christmas theme now and always. During His earthly ministry, the Savior blessed the sick; He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life.

Through the ages, His message has always been the same: “Follow me.” As we follow in His steps today, we, too, have opportunities to bless the lives of others. Chances to render service come to everyone. Whom can you help this Christmas? Who awaits your visit?

There is yet time this year to extend your helping hand and loving heart to some of our Heavenly Father’s children. As we serve Him in this way, we are surely following His Son.

May the Christmas season find love and a desire to help others abiding in our hearts and homes. And when the Christmas observance is over and we are filled with the Spirit of Him whose birth we celebrate, let us continue to follow Him.

President Ezra Taft Benson

President Gordon B. Hinckley, First Counselor

President Thomas S. Monson, Second Counselor

The Birth of Jesus (detail) by Carl Heinrich Bloch