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Celebrating the Birth of Our Saviour
To help celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, this year, we asked a few Latter-day Saints from around the Pacific to share their favourite Christmas memory and why they think it’s important that families celebrate the birth of our Saviour?
Here’s what they told us:
Cancy Bernardo, Auckland New Zealand Waterview Stake, 3rd Branch (Chinese)
One of my cherished Christmas memories, though brief yet joyful, was a Pyjama Christmas Day. The moment the kids woke up, they jumped on my bed and rolled around; we were hugging and laughing and wishing each other Merry Christmas. These few minutes are one of the most precious memories for me. There was no rush to go anywhere. It was a day of feeling relaxed, with no pressure to do anything.
I want my four children to cherish those memories and have a positive association [with Christmas] while they are young. I hope it will create a deeper testimony for them of the Saviour Jesus Christ. Christmas is a day that I want my children to remember to pause from the busyness of life and celebrate the birth of our Saviour together. As they grow into adulthood, it is my hope that they will appreciate what the Saviour’s Atonement has done for them and that they are able to share this appreciation with their own children.
Lita K. Iabeta, Tarawa Kiribati East Stake, Eita 2nd Ward
My most meaningful Christmas memory was the Christmas that Father in Heaven taught us the true meaning of Christmas. We were camping for one week celebrating Christmas when tragedy struck. A family member suddenly passed away during camp. It was sad, but we were given the greater light. We tuned out of the world and turned completely to the Saviour and His Atonement.
Christ was born so that we might live. The earth was created so that families might be. Families need to celebrate the Saviour’s birth to express gratitude that because of Him, exaltation is possible. Through Him the Father’s plan for families is fulfilled.
Andrea Petesa Fua, Wellington New Zealand Stake, Hataitai Ward (Samoan)
I spent Christmas 2012 together with my family in Samoa and experienced my first ever tropical cyclone. The power went out throughout our whole village in Afega on Christmas Eve night, so our family of four used torches and candles to see each other around our kitchen table. We spent the night talking and laughing and crying together. It was the least glamorous Christmas I can remember—we had no presents and no parties, but it is one of my favourite memories because all we could give each other was time.
It’s important to me that our family celebrates our Saviour’s birth; to never take for granted such a hopeful and joyful gift from our Heavenly Parents. Christ was born, died for us and today He lives! Such a beautiful reason to celebrate and talk about the impact our Saviour has on us as individuals.
President Tamana Natanaera, Tarawa Kiribati North District, Temaiku 1st Branch
Since my baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in September 2009, I started to learn the real meaning of Christmas. I realized the significance of gathering our children in our home and to earnestly ponder the birth of the Saviour of the world. The meek arrival of an infant [who was placed] in a manger—that signifies the meekness of our Master who urges us to follow Him. I have learned that Christmas is a season for reconciliation, knitting of hearts, forgiving enemies, and extra-extending hands to the needy, as we strive for reverence in our homes and in our hearts.