Christmas Peace

By President Henry B. Eyring

First Counselor in the First Presidency

Adapted from “Gifts of Peace,” Christmas Devotional 2016.

Every Christmas season, I remember the words: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: … and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

The first time I can remember hearing those words was as I sat in the balcony of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. A choir was singing the music of Handel. I remember feeling something in my heart. It was the Holy Ghost. The Spirit confirmed to my heart that the words I heard sung that night were true.

The baby born in Bethlehem long ago was and is the Son of God, the Only Begotten of the Father.

The feeling I had that night was of faith and hope. Because Jesus Christ was born, death would not be the end. Because of His birth, my heart, your heart, and all human hearts can become pure, clean, and fit to go to a heavenly home.

Angels, shepherds, and Wise Men found peace in Jesus Christ. So will you. The Savior’s birth is the gift that makes it possible for the Father to give us “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).

I pray that peace will come to each of us as we remember, love, and worship our Heavenly Father. May we always remember the service and kindness Jesus gave—and decide to do the same.

Let’s Give Him a Handel

President Eyring talked about a beautiful piece of music called the Messiah by George Frideric Handel. Handel’s friend, Charles Jennens, used scriptures to write the words to the music. Here are some sentences from the Messiah. Can you fill in the blanks using the Bible verses below? (Answers below.)

For unto us a ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ is born. (Isaiah 9:6, page 873 in the Bible)
____ ____ ____ ____ ____ to God in the highest. (Luke 2:14, page 1,275)
He shall ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ peace. (Zechariah 9:10, page 1,175)
He hath ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ our griefs. (Isaiah 53:4, page 926)
In Christ shall all be made ____ ____ ____ ____ ____. (1 Corinthians 15:22, page 1,457)

Worshipping Christ

Like Handel, you can create something beautiful to show your love for Jesus. Look on the inside front cover to see how Sophie cut out pictures from the Friend to create a collage of the Nativity! Show us what you can create!

Hallelujah Chorus

Here’s a line of music from one of the most famous parts of the Messiah called the “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Go to friend.lds.org during December to listen to a beautiful performance of the Messiah!