Digital Only: Young Adult
Where Is Christ in My
Christmas?
What can I do to ensure that Christ stays the central focus of the holiday that bears His name?
I love Christmastime! I am one of those people who starts listening to Christmas music super early because it brings me joy. Christmastime is such a whimsical, cozy season full of delicious treats, festive activities, and beautiful decorations. I enjoy finding the perfect gifts that I know my family members will love, and I can hardly wait to see my kids’ eyes light up when they discover the surprises awaiting them on Christmas morning.
But each year after the Christmas tree comes down, I find myself thinking about what all the celebrating was for—were all those weeks of parties and presents really about Christ?
If I’m being honest with myself, the answer is no. I don’t buy presents or attend holiday parties to show the Savior how much I honor and adore Him. And though the gifts and activities are all wonderful aspects of this season, they’ve become the focus of my Christmas observance, while Christ Himself has become merely an accent piece. So I have started really considering, What can I do to shift my priorities and change my perspective at Christmastime? Here are a few thoughts that I believe can help all of us who are striving to recenter Christmas on Christ:
Allow Christ to Change You
President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) said:
“When we strive to be Christlike, He is ‘formed’ in us; …
“The real Christmas comes to him [or her] who has taken Christ into his [or her] life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force.”1
Having Christ as a “dynamic” and “vitalizing” force in our lives doesn’t just mean we think casually about Him from time to time.
It means that we “look unto [Him] in every thought” (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:36; emphasis added). We center our lives and actions around striving to live as He did. We actively look for ways to reach outside of ourselves to “lift up the hands which hang down” (Hebrews 12:12).
This is accomplished as we work to understand the Savior’s Atonement and allow it to make us “new creature[s]” in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The Savior taught, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him” (Revelation 3:20). Our hearts are the door at which the Savior stands. If we open to Him, He will come in and change us for good.
“Go, and do thou likewise”
In the parable of the good Samaritan, Jesus taught about a man on the road to Jericho who was beaten and left to die. He was passed by many people who could’ve stopped to help him, but none would. Just when it seemed all hope was lost, a miracle occurred:
“A certain Samaritan … had compassion on him,
“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, … and took care of him” (Luke 10:33–34).
The Savior then tells His disciples to “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).
At Christmastime several years ago, I had an experience where this parable was put into action. It was nighttime, and I was driving on the interstate. Snow had started to fall, and the road was getting slick. Suddenly, my tire exploded. I pulled over and prayed that somehow, Heavenly Father would rescue me from this dangerous situation. Shortly after, a kind man stopped to help me change my tire. With no hesitation and very few words, he got my spare tire on the car, wished me a merry Christmas, and drove away.
Like the good Samaritan, this man recognized a person in need, and he acted. He didn’t wait for an invitation, and he expected nothing in return for his selfless service. He truly understood that the greatest way we can honor the Savior is by serving others. As the Savior taught, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).
Change Your Perspective, Change Your Heart
During this wondrous time of year, I hope we will give Jesus Christ the opportunity to fill our souls and change our hearts. I hope we will focus our attention on ways that we might more deliberately and genuinely honor His miraculous birth and matchless life. As we participate in our regular traditions and festivities, let’s all try just a little harder to take concentrated time out of our busy schedules to shift our perspectives, invite Christ to be the central focus of His holiday, remember the good Samaritan, and “Go, and do thou likewise” (Luke 10:37).