New Era

December 2006

Volume 36, Number 12

Contents

• The Message: Christ the Savior Is Born
  Elder Russell M. Nelson
  The greatest gift you could give the Lord is to keep unspotted from the world.

• In Tune: Soft and Pure
  Raymond D. Cook

• Mom’s Christmas Coat
  Ronda Hinrichsen
  The true spirit of Christmas comes from service and sacrifice.

• Accepting the Challenge
  Paul VanDenBerghe
  Teens who took President Hinckley’s Book of Mormon challenge share their experiences.

• Q&A: Questions and Answers

• New Era Poster: Make Room for the Savior

• Sharing the Joy
  Consuelo Conesa Leone
  We sang about joy and meant it.

• A Watch, Some Buttons, and Joseph’s Cloak
  Sally Johnson Odekirk
  Seeing a few of his possessions brings the Prophet Joseph Smith into our lives.

• From the Field: Finding Christmas in Sendai
  Dwayne Vance
  Remembering our neighbors made a memorable Christmas.

• Idea List: Rich in Spirit

• Mary and Joseph
  Susan Winters
  What do we know about the earthly parents of Jesus Christ?

• What’s Up?

• Because of the Restoration …
  Mandi Andre
  Having the gospel restored has literally changed every day of my life.

• Don’t You Pray?
  Elder Lynn A. Mickelsen
  A wonderful Christmas gift led to an even greater possession, my testimony.

• Instant Messages

• The Extra Smile

• New Era 2006 Index

• Poems: Winter Tree
  Laura W. Yamada

• Haiku for Winter
  Lorena Barney Wilson

• Photo
  John Luke

Cover: The Christ child started His earthly ministry in a loving family. See “Mary and Joseph” on p. 28. Cover art and photography: “For unto Us a Child Is Born,” by Lynne Millman Weidinger (front) and Matt Reier (back)